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My eyes welled and I closed the tears to roll down my face

All of our faeted, but the Hawthorne family had been hit hardest of all

“I keep picking up the phone to call Vera,” Nan said with a sad laugh “At least they went together Not sure she could have made it if he didn’t”

“Bubby’s coiven my brother when he was born

“Think he’s already there,” she replied

“Oh”

“You gonna go see him?”

“Maybe later”

“Trix,” she scolded gently “He’s been asking for you”

“I don’t know if—”

“I know you’ve seen hifor you for days, getting frantic every time someone tells him that you’re not there”

“What?” I shot up on the couch, turning to face her straight on “Why didn’t anyone tell me?”

“You’ve been locked up in here, not talking to anyone Don’t think your parents wanted to s worse for you”

“Jesus, that’s stupid,” I snapped, slidingwith me?”

“I’ll be over in a little while,” she said, cli to her feet “I want to clean up your Gramps’ room a bit before he comes home”

I raced outside, shielding ht hit the There were brothers and their fa around in the grass, but I didn’t acknowledge anyone as I jogged past them

My eyesight went fuzzy for a second as I reached the long grass between my parents’ house and the club, but I shook it off and kept ed the distance to the house, but I didn’t let that stop rass a thousand times, and I knew the itch would fade once I was out of it

To on the front porch when I reached it, and he came to his feet when he saw me “Trix—”

I reached out and squeezed his arm, but didn’t slow as I pushed my way into the house

The living room was full of people, but I only had eyes for one person Leo’s back was to me, but I could tell by the set of his shoulders that he ound up—practically vibrating with tension

“Bubby?” I called, co to a stop

His head turned slowly toward led sound left my mouth as his face came into view

My vision faltered, his swollen and stitched face replaced by my mom’s for a split second, her cheek puffy and both eyes black

“Sissy?” his voice slurred and his face changed back I stumbled forward

When I reached hi into his eyes