CHAPTER 23
On Wednesday evening, I’m sitting upstairs on the landing reading a book. Sammy is crunching on a bone, and he’s loud. The sound of his teeth grinding against the bone makes my own teeth hurt, but he’s enjoying it.
I’m listening to Jeff working in the music room. He’s played through what would be ‘Blood & Glitter’ several times when the music abruptly stops, mid-chorus. Seconds later, Jeff appears on the landing. He’s stretched the sleeves of his purple jumper over his hands. Although the sweater effectively hides his body, his face reveals how much weight he’s lost. If he keeps wasting away like that, it’s going to be like making love to a skeleton. His eyes look for help.
“I’m done. I have to give up.”
I thought I would never see Jeff admit defeat. I put the knitted bookma
