Page 4 of Silent Damage

Mom.

I run. No, I sprint—race along the cement as fast as I can to feel her in my arms.

“Hi, bab—” My hug knocks the wind out of her. “Oh, honey, you’re gonna crack a rib,” she says with a chuckle.

I loosen my grip and look into her eyes.

They’re tired. Worn.

Prison has changed her face. Not just emotionally, but physically, too. She never told me anything, but I know it was hard for her there—really hard.

I clench my eyes shut.

Don’t cry. This is her day.

It’s too hard, though. I can feel the tears coming, and she pulls me close once more. “It’s over now. It’s over.”

But it’s not.

It’ll never be over. Not for me.

Doug approaches, and I back away, letting them have their moment. They’ve waited a long time to be together.

“Hey,” Mom whispers to Doug.

“Hey.”

Mom walks into Doug’s embrace, and I watch as he savors the moment.

He pushed a lot of people away to be with Mom.

Including Jason.

His name alone makes my chest ache.

They kiss, and I avert my gaze to give them some privacy. It also hurts to watch, because I remember what it felt like to kiss somebody like that.

Even if it was only just a couple of times.

I hear Doug whisper, “Let’s get you home, babe.”

A heaviness settles over me.

Home is his trailer, which is directly across the gravel road from ours. Jason and I grew up across the road from each other, which is how we became best friends.

I live in the trailer with all the memories. They kept the trailer that Mom and I lived in for more space. She’s going to move into Doug’s so they can start their life together. They deserve some privacy, but I’d give anything to leave the home I grew up in.

But Mom wants me close.

So, I’ll endure the pain of living in the space where it all happened.

I can do that.

For her.

Chapter 2

Jason (20)