Chapter 44

Outside his window, on the other side of the fence, the neighbor’s children were splashing around in their pool and their cheerful banter reminded him that it was Sunday.

Sunday.

Family day.

This would have been the time he’d usually leave for Rye’s house blocks away. They’d have a few beers and hang out in the back, while the boys rode their bikes or played “sandman” in the jungle gym, one of them running around the module as the other hid and screamed out sandmanfrom the ground. Then Angie would call everyone in, and he’d enjoy his week’s best dinner.

But that was over now. He’d been cast out. He was never going to see those boys again.

Liam watched the golden sky, lost in his sad thoughts.

Kieran slipped his arms around Liam’s waist, resting his chin on Liam’s shoulder. “You look so down…What are you think of?”

“I’m thinking we can’t hide out like this forever.”

Kieran moved back and stood near him, by the sink, sunlight catching in his hair. “Why not?”