Page 16 of Silent Damage

“I do, too,” Gabe whispers.

It’s getting worse. Every time Dad gets home from the plant, he looks meaner and more bitter—mad that life is the way it is.

Unless he’s with Linda, they go drinking every Thursday. Mom thinks it’s fine—probably because she just wants him out of the trailer.

But when he gets home, it’s the only time I see him look happy. His face looks calm. Peaceful. He even has a pep in his step like he did when I was a little kid.

I never really talk to Gabe about that. I show him so much—too much. I should keep it locked away and never show the world how much Doug hurts me, but it’s not just the physical pain. It’s the reminder over and over again that he hates me—hates Mom. Hates his life.

That’s when I need Gabe. He makes me feel like I’m not worthless.

“They were together again,” I say.

“Huh?”

My eyes trail over to Gabe. “Dad and your mom. They went out again.”

Gabe stares at me. “Hmm.”

“What do you think that’s all about?” I ask him.

His hand tightens around mine. “Not sure…”

I take a breath and muster up the courage to ask the question that’s been weighing on my mind. “Do you think… Do you think they’re, like, together?”

Gabe stills, and his eyes widen. “What do you mean?”

I shrug, trying to think of how to explain. “Like… together.”

Gabe looks dumbfounded, so I say the word more slowly. “To-ge-ther.”

“No! No, I don’t think so. No, that’s crazy.”

I calm down a bit. It would be so bad if it were true. What would even happen? Mom doesn’t have a pot to piss in. Would we have to leave? Doug owns the trailer—paid for it with his army money. What would even happen to us?

“It would be really bad,” I say while pinching the bridge of my nose.

“Yeah, no, that’s not happening. I think she tries to…you know…maybe she knows what Doug’s like.”

My hackles rise: “You told her?”

“No! No, I didn’t. I just… maybe she kind of knows? Or guesses? I don’t know.”

Does Linda suspect? “What, you think she’s trying to give Mom and me a break every Thursday?”

Gabe turns away, locking eyes with the stars. “Yeah. Maybe…”

The thought kind of warms my heart. I try to keep things a secret, but maybe Linda can sense what’s happening. She’s always been more caring than the rest of our shitty parents.

“That would be really nice of her,” I say.

“Yeah…”

I turn to look at Gabe. His skin looks pretty in the moonlight. His black hair falls over his eyes, and I swipe it away. “You really think that’s what she’s doing?”

Gabe’s eyes fall into mine. For a second, he looks sad, but then he shakes it off and nods.

“Wow.” Something about knowing that makes me feel amazing. A parent actually gives a shit? I mean, I know it’s not my parent, but it's still a parent. Maybe I’m not so unlovable?