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“You’re not going to distract me with a pity party, Donny. I want to know what happened today.”
“And I already told you, I don’t know. It wasn’t my fault.” There was a thumping sound, and Abe hoped whatever Donny had thrown, kicked, or hit didn’t do any damage. “You know what?” Donny yelled. “Forget it. I don’t need this. I’m going to my room!”
“Donny!” Jason called after him.
Hard, rapid footsteps sounded on the stairs and Donny didn’t respond.
“Donny!” Jason shouted again. After a pause, the front door opened and slammed shut.
Abe took in a deep breath, let it out, and said, “Kris, what were you saying earlier?”
Flicking her gaze away, she said, “I, uh, think Donny’s getting worse.”
She was probably right. “Your parents know he’s having trouble, and they’re going to help him.”
She didn’t look as if she believed him, and Abe wasn’t sure anything he said would change that. The reality was, things had to change with Donny before any of them would feel better.
With no easy solution available, he tried distraction and bribery. “I have cookies for dessert. They’re my grandmother’s award-winning recipe. But we have to finish our dinner first.” He looked meaningfully at Kristen’s plate. “There seems to be a break in the noise, so let’s eat.”
“What about Dad and Donny?” she asked.
“Donny’s upstairs and your dad went for a, uh, walk. They can warm up a plate in the microwave when they calm down.”
“Okay.” They ate in silence for a few minutes, and then Kristen said, “Abe?”
“Yes?”
“I’m glad you’re here. I didn’t like being alone when Donny yelled like that.”
It was the second time that day a member of Jason’s family had expressed happiness at his presence, which made him feel like there was space for him in their lives. “I’m glad I’m here too.” He reached over and patted Kristen’s hand. “It’s going to be okay.”
She nodded and refocused on her dinner. Abe did the same. When they were both done, he stacked their plates and stood up. “I’ll get the cookies.”
“That’s okay,” she said. “I’m not really hungry and I have homework to do, so I’m going to my room.”
Understanding Kristen’s need to be alone, Abe nodded. “Good night, Kris.”
“Good night.” She shuffled out of the kitchen with her head down.
Abe sighed. They had to do something to improve the situation.
“THIS GOES down in history as being the crappiest night ever,” Jason grumbled as he walked into the bedroom.
After cleaning up the kitchen, Abe had gone upstairs, gotten ready for bed, and climbed under the covers. He read a book while he waited for Jason to come home.
“The mouth on that boy.” Jason growled and kicked his shoes off so hard they hit the wall. “Sorry.” He took in a deep breath. “I didn’t mean to do that.”
“It’s okay,” Abe said as he sat up, the blanket pooling at his waist. He put a scrap piece of paper in his book and set it on the nightstand. “You’re allowed to be upset.”
“Angela’s worried,” Jason said with a sigh. “Really worried.”
“You called her?” Abe asked, holding his hand out.
“Yeah.” Jason looked at him. “That’s what took me so long out there. That and the pacing.” He sat on the bed next to Abe and brushed his hand through Abe’s hair, his touch gentle. “Sorry I took off like that.”
“That’s okay.” Abe cupped Jason’s cheek and skated his thumb over his lips. “Going outside to cool down was probably the best thing you could have done.”
With a sigh, Jason lay back, his head on Abe’s lap, his knees bent, and his feet on the floor. He threw his forearm over his eyes and said, “I don’t know what I’m doing with them. I feel like I’m fucking them up.”
“You’re not fucking them up,” Abe assured him as he combed his fingers through Jason’s hair and then began massaging his scalp. “At least not any more than most parents. You wouldn’t be doing your job if you didn’t give them something to complain about to their friends.”
“Ha-ha,” Jason said.
Though his tone was sarcastic, the tightness around his mouth was replaced by a small smile, so Abe hoped the comment helped. Abe continued pressing his fingers into Jason’s scalp.
“That feels good, baby,” Jason said.
After a few more minutes of quiet massaging, Abe said, “Jase?”
“Yeah?”
Setting aside his worry about Jason’s reaction, he said, “Can I make a suggestion about Donny?”
Rather than tensing or arguing, as Abe expected, Jason said, “Please.” He moved his arm and blinked his eyes open. “I meant what I said, Abe. I have no idea what to do about him.”
“I think you need to go to counseling.”
“He won’t go. Remember? Angela tried.”
“Not him. You, meaning the collective you. Family therapy.”
Jason shot up to a sitting position. “I don’t need therapy!”
Unable to hold back his amusement, Abe smiled.
