chapter seventeen
WILL
He was careful to keep his shirt on, even when he was swimming. Mom and Dad didn’t notice. They were too busy with work to pay him any attention.
In fact, summers at his grandmother were their favorite time of the year. They didn’t care what he wanted.
But this year, things were changing. He was changing.
At thirteen, he was shooting up. He was a lot taller than he was at ten and eleven and twelve. And even then he was big for his age.
That last night, he’d fought with her and though she laughed like she enjoyed it, she didn’t pull out the whip like she’d promised. He tipped his chin up and fisted his hands.
Maybe she’d stop now. Maybe it would all stop now.
Maybe he’d finally be able to feel clean again. All he wanted was to feel clean for a minute.
We’re f
