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looks strange. A mix of anger and…and I don’t know. Determination? Guilt? I have no idea. I thought I knew him…
    He doesn’t look at me, just goes into the bathroom and doesn’t bother closing the door. I can hear him pee in the dark. I can hear him wash his hands.
    When he comes out, he grabs my arm in a firm grip. The same, tight, almost painful grip from before. “Let’s go.”
    And he keeps this hold all the way down the stairs, out the door, down the block, into a cab. I only stare at him. Trying to see his look budge from the same stern, strong look. It doesn’t.
    In the cab, he takes my hand and holds it, pulling my hand onto his knee. He doesn’t look at me though. He just looks straight ahead.
    I’ve really messed up today.

Chapter 9 HIM
    Dad doesn’t say anything for a moment. He moves instead to stand in front of me, close to me. Blocking any view of me from Jeff and Killaney. “Get ahold of yourself, boy.” I have a second of rage at this. He sounds like Jake. But he puts his hand on my arm, the one not holding my phone. His grip has always been like a vise. His voice calm, in control, commanding as usual. Too many years raised under his belt, his complete power. I don’t move.
    I want to tell him to fuck off. I thought it plenty of times growing up. But he’s the reason I am who I am. He saved our family. I can’t disrespect him no matter what. Even now.
    I take a breath. I lower my phone. I shrug my shoulders and head, loosening up the hold my anger has on my body. I meet his eyes again. I nod.
    He lets go of my arm. We turn together to head back inside.
    Jeff is trying not to show his question. He’s trying to look neutral. He saw my anger. So did Killaney.
    Killaney raises his eyebrows, waiting. When I’m closer to the table, he finally speaks. “So…news?”
    Dad answers for me. He keeps his voice calm, neutral. “Yes. It appears Lucy is with my other son. She’s safe and sound.”
    Killaney doesn’t stop appraising me though. I walk by him into the kitchen to give myself a few more moments alone with my anger.

Chapter 9 HER
    Jake takes my elevator card from me. He hasn’t let go of my arm again. A firm grip, pushing and pulling me along. I guess this makes him my executioner. He’s walking me to face Max’s anger.
    I’m numb. I’m not really sure that I’d be able to walk without his holding me up, without his strong force moving me along. I keep staring at him, trying to see any change in his expression. So far, he’s been this strange mix of anger and determination. But somehow neutral too. His looking through me look…with only a touch of anger. But I don’t know if it’s directed at me or Max…probably both.
    Just before the elevator door opens on the top floor though, he turns his head slightly to me. And he grins again. I’m weak. I lean against the wall, pulling on his arm, but the doors open at the same time and he pulls me forward.
    I can see that our door is open. Jake pauses for a second, pulling me closer to him. He whispers to me, an angry edge, a command not to be argued with, “Shut up. Not a word until I tell you to speak.” I only nod, but he doesn’t even wait for this. He leads me into the apartment.
    As we walk down the hall, I’m aware of two things. Silence. And a face I don’t know. The other three faces are all angry. Ron, Jeff…and Max. I swallow, looking down quickly to avoid eye contact with anyone.
    Jake doesn’t let go of my arm, keeps it close to his chest, hiding his grip though.

Chapter 10 HIM
    I imagined all sorts of ways tonight would end. I didn’t allow myself to imagine the worse cases. The ones where Lucy didn’t walk in that door…but this?! Fuck! I never thought I’d see my brother holding the arm of my wife…Where’s she been? What’s she been up to since this afternoon?!
    Jake nods at Dad, but doesn’t say anything. He stays close to Lucy. She at least has the decency to look ashamed, to look down. I step