63
Tom and Terry sat across from each other at their kitchen table, a bottle of whisky between them. They were speechless, just as they had been all the way home.
“After we both recovered from our minor burns in hospital our grandparents couldn’t take the two of us and I was fostered out because I was the eldest. I moved from house to house, always given attention, always trying to get myself in trouble.
“When I was eighteen the state released me for the first time. I was so angry, self-absorbed. I always knew I could find you if I wanted to, but my anger was too deep. And I didn’t want to spread it to you, to damage you with it.
“It’s been five years since I finally had the courage to find you. But then Helen died, and I figured you needed time. I haven’t had the guts to approach you.
