Chapter 36

Liam knew how much his mother had sacrificed, and though it wasn’t his fault, he still felt guilty about it. He suspected his brothers did as well.

This evening, their father had been catatonic. His eyes had been like gray pebbles. His mouth, slack. Tomorrow could be better. He always came back to them. Always.

And if he doesn’t?

Rye leaned on the white wooden railing, drinking his beer slowly. Will and Liam sat on the first step below him, staring at the empty street. The porch light was off. They were surrounded by darkness.

They hadn’t said a word for more than ten minutes. The twelve pack of Bud was empty. Liam had had two, so had Rye. Will had had the rest. Lately, it seemed that whenever Liam saw his baby brother, Will had a drink in his hand. But Liam didn’t want to think about that. Not tonight anyway.

“Remember the Davidsons?” Rye’s voice sounded ghostly, almost surreal.

“Yeah,” Will said.

“They used to drive Dad nuts, remember?”