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Prologue

10 years ago

Travis Keller

I turn 18 today

Before, my birthday would have been a reason to have a party, but now it’s just another day I' to basic training in the , so even if anyone wanted to throw me a party I wouldn’t be able to celebrate

As things stand, I’et out of here

This past year has been a nightmare If my mom had knohat a total piece of shit my dad's brother, Brad is, she never would have nauardian Honestly, anyone would have been better He treats er than hi out with my recruiter four days a week for the past nine er and faster than him, too

I really feel bad for Faye, who is only ten She’s irl and Brad is a drunk

A mean drunk, and he hates kids

Poor Faye bears the brunt of his shitty behavior Earlier today he pushed her down because she was in his way I didn't see it, but I know he did She ca her tiny face, and still hasn’t left

Claire never even came to check on her

I can’t help but think about my own mom She would have killed to protect me, and I just don’t understand how Claire can let Brad abuse her daughter like he does She's as shitty a person as Brad is, but I don’t think she has always been like that

I called CPS once, thinking they would be able to do so to help Faye, but they couldn't find any reason to take her away Brad is a lawyera rich, dirty lawyer I suspect that he’s mixed up in some bad stuff, but I haven’t been able to find any proof, not that Brad lets anyone into his office

Claire is his legal secretary…or soet into her laptop, but everything she’s been handling for Brad seeitimate

Anyway, Brad kneas et ain—the kind of trouble that would make the Marines not want me I have no illusions about his ability to do just that, soto be the one to pay the price I wish I could find a way to take her with me, but there isn’t a way Maybe when I’ I can do

That’s the only long teret Faye and take care of her

She doesn’t have anyone else, and as weird as it sounds, she’s my best friend She tells me all her secrets and I tell her all my plans Neither one of us has friends here Brad and Claire have made that impossible Instead, Faye and I…we have each other

Sighing, I look at my clock, 2300 hours My recruiter will be here to pick me up in 7 hours I need to sleep, but s that could happen to hurt her Worse things than Brad slapping her, and Claire’s total indifference At least right now, Faye is sleeping peacefully Tilting my chin down, I kiss the top of her head where the two lopsided French braids I twisted into her red hair are pressed into my armpit

She is so s bad is going to happen to her while I'one She has been the only ray of sunshine in rieving and in a fog of sadness Faye was the one who pulled me out of my misery and reminded me of all the plans I had before I lostheavythen nothing but warm darkness

0530 hours My phone alarm screa hands allow, not wanting to wake up Faye I’m a little slow, and it does anyway She wakes upwith tears as she watchesShe is wrapped up inmy every move

“I wish you didn't have to go, Twavis,” she whispers with a little lisp, in a voicewith her h to mature anyone early I sit back down beside her and take her little hand init