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Behind in to plead Dad rubs his hands over his face "You weren’t supposed to find ht his last ile, butthe bout, lued to h to push hiht Twice he went doice he got back up At the end of five rounds, utter

"You don’t drink This isn’t you," I whisper

Dad raises his head to the sky and he blinks as if he’s drifting into coherency "I don’t knoho I am anymore"

I think of ho in that upstairs corner room When it rained, the wind chile deeper into the blanket, grateful for protection

But I’ in the sewer next to the father that disappointedlet down, it has nothing to do with losing the house or hoive up?"

I shiver, not from the cold but because I feel like soo, but I’lance over rabs his father’s arm as he stalks in our direction "He’s sick, Dad Let Kaden and I get him in bed"

My uncle twists away froot to lie It’s past curfew and it’s the only e’re getting in John’s out looking for you and the last bus to the gyone We’re out of options"

He reaches over and pushes the drenched hair away from my face "Why did you come after ether and the hurt overpowersme down as if I was tackled below the knees I want to cry I want to screaer one I’ after her father "Because I don’t abandon the people I love I wouldn’t do what you’re doing to ht now"

"Help me up"

I stand and hold my hand out to him He takes it and with more effort than it should take, he shakes to his feet My uncle rounds on us The rain has already soaked through his black T-shirt "What’s wrong with you?"

"He’s sick," I answer "Let us get hilare he throws hten "Unless I speak to you directly, keep yourfrom my mouth I hate him I hate how he de as a speck of dust and what I hateto my father, to Jax, to everyone There’s definitely a hell and he’s on the expected list

I pray my uncle keeps the distance between theh the rain, he won’t notice the strong scent of alcohol

"I felt sick this ot worse on the bus ride home I sat down near the side of the road and must have passed out"

My uncle hs He rocks forward and sniffs I briefly close my eyes He knows My uncle knows "You are a damned failure"