Page 58 of Butterfly

Teddy nodded slowly.

“Oh fuck.” Ollie bit his lip. “Oh fuck.” He shook his head. “I can’t do it.”

Teddy slotted his toothbrush into the holder and came over to the bed.

His expression said,You can.

“What if he’s just coming to tell me he hates me?”

Teddy shook his head.

“You don’t know that.” Ollie squeezed his eyes shut. “What if when I see him, I can still see how he looked that night? What if it’s the same for him? What if he looks at me and still sees a monster?”

Teddy shook his head again.

“But you don’t know that!” Ollie slipped down from his bunk. “What if…”

He lowered his head.

Teddy lifted Ollie’s chin with his finger.

It’ll be okay.

Ollie exhaled, nodding. “I’m just scared, that’s all.”

I know.

Teddy moved aside so Ollie could get ready. He pulled on clothes, sprayed on deodorant, brushed his teeth and sorted out his hair, all while trying not to hyperventilate.

“Ollie,” Seinfeld called, unlocking the cell.

Teddy pulled Ollie into a tight hug. He leaned Ollie back to look at him, waiting for Ollie to read his expression.

I’ll be here when you get back. He glanced at the bottom of the bed where themaggotswere hidden.And they will be too.

Ollie snorted, giving Teddy a watery smile, then kissed him just before Seinfeld pushed open the door.

9

Alineofsixinmates,all from F-wing, trudged in single file down the corridor.

The gate at the end was a cheery yellow, and the walls were decorated with painted trees and flowers in a cartoon style.

Ollie stopped beside a sunflower with huge eyes and a bright smile.

It was supposed to be friendly, but all it did was unnerve him.

They’d gone through the searches before being led to the visiting area for adolescents.

The men joining Ollie in the queue were all there to see their children, and in Einstein’s case, his grandchild.

Leo had been fourteen when Ollie got sentenced, and though a year had passed, he was still deemed underage for a visit in the main room.

“It’s much better for the kiddies,” Einstein said behind Ollie. “We have more space to move around, we don’t need to wear the bibs, and there’s a bookcase in the corner so you can read a story to your little one, pencils and paper on every table too, and a TV on the wall, usually playing some Disney movie.”

“My brother’s fifteen,” Ollie replied over his shoulder.

“Oh…well…he’s going to fucking hate it then.”

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