He was right. I had to loosen up and trust him more.
“Okay, I’m sorry. My lower back is tender.”
“Okay. I’ll be careful, and if I get near the spot that hurts, you tell me, okay?”
I nodded. Communication was something I was going to have to figure out quickly because Hollis would press me for answers.
I was really nervous as we went downstairs. I felt awkward in Hollis’ clothes. In the kitchen, Charles and Kristin were talking to Hollis’ grandpa in hushed tones. I was sure they were talking about me because when they saw us, they quickly dropped their conversation. Kristin walked toward us and asked what we wanted for breakfast. My stomach didn’t feel like it could handle much, so I opted for a small bowl of Cheerios and some toast. Hollis’ parents and grandpa brought their coffee cups and sat at the table with us.
“Where’re Morg and Chase?” Hollis asked.
“Grandma took them out to run some errands,” Charles replied.
I’m sure on account of me being here.
“How are you feeling this morning, Patrick?” Hollis’ grandpa asked.
“Pretty good.” I paused to put a spoonful of Cheerios in my mouth and quickly chewed. After I swallowed, I elaborated. “Little sore and tender, but I’m doing a lot better.” Then it seemed I got a little too comfortable and at ease with being talked to at a table. “Last night was one of the few times I actually haven’t been afraid to take a shower or go to sleep.” I instantly felt bad for saying it because Kristin covered her mouth and looked like she was going to cry. Charles rubbed Kristin’s back as he and Hollis’ grandpa looked at one another. “Sorry,” I apologized and quickly looked down at my bowl.
“You won’t have to worry about that ever again, Patrick,” Charles said.
I looked up and nodded. I felt almost sick to my stomach thinking about it.
“Do you need any help cleaning or bandaging anything?” Charles asked.
“Nope. I helped him and took care of it this morning,” Hollis said. He smiled at me as he shoveled more cereal in his mouth.
I smiled back at him and then glanced around the table. His grandpa was looking at the marks on my neck from the phone cord when I tried to—
“Did you guys talk to the police?” Hollis asked his parents, pulling me away from thoughts of being in my closet. I set my spoon down. I didn’t think I could eat and listen to this.
“We did, yes,” Charles said.
“And?” Hollis asked.
Charles looked at me, as if trying to decide if he should say any more.
“The police arrested your father, Patrick.” I nodded and then looked down at my cereal. “They’re looking for Sebastian,” he added.
I didn’t look up but nodded again. I felt cold as I thought about what kind of a scene that must have been. I almost jumped out of my skin when Hollis put his hand on my shoulder.
“See? It’s going to be okay.”
I nodded and picked up my spoon even though I had no idea how I’d be able to finish the bowl.
“There will be police at the house this afternoon. We can take you so you can pick up some things, but if you don’t want to go…” Charles took a sip from his coffee cup and gestured toward Hollis’ grandpa. “We will go and can take Morgan.”
Fuck, this really was happening. I really wasn’t going to have to see my dad again. I couldn’t even imagine what Raquel said. I started to think about where Sebastian ran off to when Hollis put his hand on my shoulder again.
“Do you want to go back there and get some of your things?” Hollis asked.
I frowned and looked down at the bowl again while I thought about going back.
Did I want to go back?
Did I want to see my room again?
Did I want to go into the closet again?
