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Chapter 8: Kevin

I glance over at Brian; he’s got that look on his face again. We’re on the way to his job interview, the one he wants so bad at the daycare place. It could be worry clouding his eyes about getting the job, but I don’t think so.

I think he saw.

I was careful… I’m always careful. That first night, we’d had a great dinner out, then rented a few movies and crashed on the couch for the evening. I hadn’t relaxed like that in… well, a long time. With my father gone for the next two weeks, and someone fun and full of life at my side, well, it was like I’d won the lottery. Brian always lifted my spirits. The next day he had school, and I had to work, of course… but I only do part-time so I was able to pick him up and we began another fun evening.

That boy is a fiend on the basketball court. I could barely keep up with him; only my height gave me an advantage. I was only interested in a friendly game, but Bri lived for the competition. He was whupping my butt, and good, when he accidently elbowed me in the ribs.

Right where the worst of the bruises were.

Well, I couldn’t help but cry out; the pain was almost blinding. My suspicions about fractured ribs seemed like a good bet, from the way it hurt right then. I bent over, almost losing my dinner, and tried to keep it together.

Brian dropped the ball at once, the moment he noticed me hunched over with my arms across my ribs. He started apologizing right away, begging me to show him my side. Of course, I refused, and said that he’d just knocked the breath out of me. He didn’t buy it, though, and kept pestering me. Finally I told him to drop it. I guess my words were a bit harsh, because he did back off, a hurt look on his face. I hated that… I’d do anything to keep him from any kind of pain.

But the damage was done, and the game was finished. Silently we went back into the house, where I found Mom ironing. Ironing, at seven o’clock at night! She greeted us with that cheerful fake smile she always wore like a shield, and we, like good obedient boys, played along. She asked who won our game, and we told her it was a tie… she said that was nice. Brian said that he was going upstairs for a while to do his homework, and she nodded, saying that education was important. I have to wonder what pills she takes these days.

Brian was smart, that was for sure. And not just in school. He knew something was up with my ribs, but being Brian, he didn’t pry. Instead, he fished.

“So, how’s the side doing now?” he asked.

“It’s okay,” I lied, trying to keep my voice nice and smooth.

“I didn’t mean to do it,” he said carefully.

“I know, it’s okay,” I said. “What homework you got?”

“English essay, and a paper on geography,” he answered. “You look kinda pale, Kev. Something up?”

“No, just been a long day. Do you need any help with this stuff?” I asked, diverting his question.

“Nope. Got it covered.”

“All right then,” I said, going to leave. “I’m going to shower and change, then go downstairs. I got to call Camille, if she’s still talking to me.”

“Sounds good.”

I left, and soon was in my room stripping off my sweaty shirt. I never locked the door when my father was out of town; no need to. Mom never came up there, she never checked anything. I’d given up hoping she would a long, long time ago…

I stepped into my shower, keeping the water only medium warm. Heat felt good, but too much on my bruised skin tended to burn. Didn’t need any more pain. I was done quickly, and had wrapped a towel around my waist before combing my hair. I hadn’t brought my shirt in with me… I hated changing into damp clothes… and didn’t give it a second thought. My only goal was to get some pain reliever down my throat and to call Camille.

I crossed into the room, not bothering to look around. I had my back to the door when I heard him speak.

“Kev?” he asked in a strange voice.

Okay, I admit I have good reason to be skittish, what with my father’s ‘recreational’ activities and all. But his voice made me jump about a foot in the air. I was half turned around before I remembered myself.

I jerked back, keeping my chest and side from his view. Luckily, I grabbed the shirt that was right on the bed and quickly put it on. In as casual a voice as I could manage, I said, “You scared me, Bri. Didn’t see you there.”

“You okay?”

That’s when I think he knew. He’d seen the ugly dark bruises… how could he not? But, having years of practice at evasion, I said, “Sure, I’m fine.” I even managed a small laugh. “Except for the near heart attack you about gave me. You’re not done your homework already, are you?”

He kept silent for a bit. “No, still working on it.”

“You better go finish. You get it done, and we still got time for a movie. I got us that new mystery flick that just came out, Secrets the Darkness Holds. Sound good?”

“Sounds great,” he said, way too quietly. He turned and left me there without another word.


That’s why I think he knows. He had to have seen the injury. I mean, the thing is a good six inches across and as dark and ugly as it gets. He never said a word, to his credit. I mean, I’d hate to have to lie to him for real. He might only be my cousin, but he’s the closest family I have. Yeah, and that includes my two wonderful so-called parents and my bum of a brother.

I wonder if he knows that.