“Yeah. Let’s talk in the other room, Killian.” Liri comes to me and takes my hand.
I jerk away from them both. “What the hell is going on?”
“Unca Kill said a bad word,” Sadie says.
I stomp into the living room. I may not remember everything, but they don’t need to treat me like I’m fragile. My father switches the television off, and I sink down on the couch. Liri appears anxious as she sits next to me. My mother is leaning against the doorway, and my brother takes up the empty spot beside me.
Whatever this is I guess it’s bad.
“Son, it kills me to have to tell you this news twice. I just hope this conversation goes better this time around.” The mood in the room is grim. Susie moves behind my father’s chair and places a hand to his shoulder.
Noelle is in the dining room with the girls still.
The back of my throat feels dry, and I lick my teeth. My palms are sweaty, and Liri squeezes my knee in support.
“I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. I had surgery and the doctors thought they got it all but its back and growing. My prognosis isn’t as good as I had hoped.”
My ears ring, and I drown out the rest of the conversation.
The present is replaced by a memory.
“I wish you’d get cancer and die, you bastard!”
“You ruined our family.”
“Mom nearly died.”
“I hate you. I hate you.”
Guilt of things I once said to my father plague me. The room starts to spin. Liri grabs my hand. I push her away and jump up.
“Fuck you all!” I shout and punch my fist into the wall.
“Killian,” Dillan roars at me.
My knuckles swell up, and I go out the front door slamming it behind me.
Chapter 11
Liri
I jump when Killian’s fist hits the wall as he screams at us. The front door slams and Dillan’s girls start to cry in the other room.
“I’m sorry,” I announce and start out the door behind Killian, but he’s already in his car and ripping down the driveway like a crazy person. I wrap my arms around my middle and stare after him until his car is out of sight, and I can no longer hear the Mustang purring down the road as he drives away leaving me behind. I sink down on the front concrete steps and bury my face in my hands.
Please don’t let him get himself killed.
Diane walks outside and shivers at the cool air. She offers me a sympathetic smile. “He’ll come back once he’s cooled down. Come back inside where it’s warm. You need to eat. You’re getting bony.”
“I’m okay.” No I’m not.
“No, you’re not, but pie will help. I made banana cream.”
My stomach burns and growls in response. I nod. “I’ll be in soon.”
She leaves me alone with my thoughts.
How did we get back here?