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“I’ them,” he continued “I couldn’t—”

“It doesn’t matter I’m just so happy you’re here now” I was ready to co at once—hug him, kiss him, feed him, shower him with love to make up for all the tiuish in his eyes

“How’d you get here?”

“Ms Siave me a lift”

“Hmm” I had opinions about his caseworker but I kept them to myself

I gently touched his lip “Did anyone take care of this?”

He snorted

I didn’t kno to reach this hollowed-out version of my boyfriend It was as if all the sweet parts had been scooped out of him while he ay I wanted to fill those eain but didn’t kno

“Are you hungry?” I asked

“Starving” He glanced down “But I really want to take a shower”

“Okay” I loosely grasped his hand

He picked up his backpack and kicked off his boots, wiggling his toes before following me upstairs

In the bathrooainst the sink I hurried to the linen closet in the hallway and gathered a set of fresh towels, a bottle of bodywash, a razor and a toothbrush

Happy I felt like I was doing so for him, I returned to the bathroom

With his back to the door, he stripped off his shirt

Bruises Welts Burns

His broad back and upper arly marks

A strangled cry burst past my lips The towels and supplies landed at asped “What happened to you?”