“You’re welcome.”
“Now what about t-tomorrow’s lesson?”
This time, Sarah didn’t tease me or keep me from changing the subject.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE: SARAH
Two nights after dinner with Sammy, Maksim and I were eating quite a different meal around the massive twelve person dining room table. I had to pinch myself that I was eating a three course meal prepared by Maksim’s personal chef.
“How’s the food?”
With a smile, I said, “It’s delicious, but why don’t you ask me again, but this time using your triggers.”
“Seriously?”
“You said you wanted to accelerate your treatment.”
With a roll of his eyes, he muttered, “Fine.”
A thoughtful expression came over his face as he cut one of his steak medallions. I watched as he relaxed his jaw. “Do you find the food…good…this evening?”
“Very nice,” I remarked with a smile.
I reached to pick up my vintage wine when my phone rang. “Sorry. I forgot to turn the ringer off.”
“Should you answer it?” Maksim asked. ‘
I shook my head. “It’s just my mom. I can call her back.”
When my phone went off again, Maksim shook his head. “Answer it.”
“But–”
“It’s okay.”
With an apologetic smile, I answered Mom’s call. “Okay, what is it that’s so–”
At my mother’s anguished cry, my blood ran cold. “Mom, what’s wrong? Has something happened to Dad?”
“Silas broke into the house. He’s tearing the living room apart.”
As my chest twisted in agony, I replied, “Mom, call the police.”
“I can’t. They’ll put him in jail this time, not the hospital.”
“I don’t care where they put him as long as you and Dad are safe!”
At my brother’s belligerent screaming in the background, my heart shuddered to a stop. On most days, Silas clung to a fragile thread of sanity. Within those threads, I could still see flashes of the brother I’d once known and loved.
Tonight it was very evident how frayed that strand was at the moment. When it fully snapped, there would be nothing left of the son my parents loved.
They wouldn’t be the people who gave him life–they would be a means to end.
“Mom, please call the police. I’m begging you.”
“Stay in the bedroom, Hollis. Don’t go out there,” Mom called.
“Someone has to get him to stop,” Dad argued.
