Shawn appeared in the doorway then, briefcase in hand, looking confused.
“What’s going on?”
“Nothing,” I said, still staring at Johnny. “Apparently.”
Steven stood, straightening his jacket. “We should go.
Let the family have some space.”
They left quickly, and Johnny disappeared to his room before I could stop him. I pretended to accept their explanation. But inside, something had hardened into steel.
Over the following two weeks, I watched.
Steven and Doris started visiting more often, always when Shawn claimed to be “working late.”
Each visit ended the same way: they’d go to Johnny’s room, close the door, and emerge 20 minutes later with Johnny looking smaller and more broken.
I couldn’t stand it anymore.
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