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Daddy was standing in front of the fire In the yellow-red firelight, they could see the tre in his hands, but other than that, he was as still as stone His quick breathing sliced through the darkness

Mama walked to the back door "If I'm not back in ten minutes, call 911"

"What?" Daddy yelled

Manored him and went outside There was a minute of breath-laden silence, then Daddy swiveled away fro of his heels and the quickened tenor of his breathing filled the rooe

"Damn you," he hissed into the darkness, "damn you"

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Spinning toward the wall, he drew his arm back and slammed his fist into the wooden wall

Savannah flinched Katiesounds of fear Savannah clutched her o to hi ache in her heart She took a hesitant step forward, then froze He wouldn't want her comfort He never did

"Daain

Savannah fought the sting of tears In the quavering firelight, she saw the sht made her sick to her stomach

Don't hurt yourself, Daddy, she prayed She ain 't worth it

Silently Savannah and Katie went back into their bedrooether, they huddled close, drawing strength fro to say It was a long ti about their daddy And longer still before they fell into a fitful, troubled sleep

The nextsound Blinking tiredly, she pushed to a sit

"I' the quilt back, she hobbled over to the cradle and cautiously picked him up

"Morning, Caleb," she cooed, staring down into his pink, unbelievably cute face