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“Okay,” said Nick. His eyes had turned wary. And afraid. “Why?”
“I need—” He had to take another breath, and this one hurt for a reason that had nothing to do with his injuries. “I need—”
He couldn’t even finish that sentence.
I need to tell you something.
I need you to forgive me.
I need you to know I never wanted this to happen.
Gabriel finally spoke, but he kept his voice down. “What the hell is going on here, Michael? Are they arresting you? Is that why there are cops in the hallway?”
Michael shook his head. Part of him wished that was why.
There were cops in the hallway in case his brothers resisted. Or in case he did.
Nick glanced at the doorway. “Close the door.”
“No,” said Michael. “They’ll open it. Just—wait. Sit down. Wait.”
There weren’t enough chairs, but Nick and Gabriel sat, while Chris leaned against the small table beside the bed.
And they waited.
Michael wished for his parents to somehow be alive. He wished as hard as he had five years ago.
It didn’t work any better now.
What would Dad do? What would he expect Michael to do?
He’d expect you to get your act together and pretend it’s okay. Because if it’s okay for you, it’ll be okay for them.
It wasn’t okay. This would never be okay.
He wasn’t even sure he could fake it.
He looked at each of them and forced his voice to be steady. “This is temporary. I need you all to understand that.” His voice wavered, and he caught it. “This is temporary.”
“What’s temporary?” said Nick. A lick of fear had crawled into his voice. “Michael. What’s—”
“You’re all under eighteen, and we don’t have a house to live in.”
“No,” said Gabriel. “We’re fine. We can stay at Adam’s.”
“Please,” said Michael. “Please, listen to me.”
“You can’t do this,” said Chris. His voice was quick and frightened. “Becca’s mom said we can go there. We can—”
“I’ve tried,” said Michael. “I’m sorry. I tried. It’s already arranged.”
Gabriel was out of his chair so fast, it almost fell over. He glanced at the door. “What’s already arranged? What the f**k are you talking about?”
Gabriel’s anger helped steady Michael. This he could deal with. He strengthened his voice. “DFS has ordered emergency custody. You’re going to spend a few nights in a youth home, until I can get before a judge—”
“You can’t do this,” Chris said again. He was breathing like he’d run a race.
“We’ll run,” said Gabriel. His eyes were furious, and the lights in the room flickered. “They can’t keep us there. Goddamn it, Michael, I can’t believe you agreed to this—”
