Page 26 of By The Book
“I’m sorry. Happy now? I didn’t mean to— I just didn’t want you to take my game.”
“So youhurtme?” She yanked up one sleeve and moved toward him. “Look.Look!” she said again when he avoided doing what he was told.
The bruises had really formed now, dark and ugly against her skin. “Isthiswho you want to be? Someone you’re proud of?”
She thought she saw the glistening of tears in his eyes and steeled herself against the way the sight made her mother’s heart soften. “Are these the actions of someone your father would be proud of?”
“No! I’m sorry. I just got mad.”
“And I got hurt because of it and that isnotacceptable. We are responsible for our actions and reactions, no matter how angry we get.”
“I know.”
“Do you?”
“I just wanted mygame.”
“And you would have had it soon had you not behaved the way that you did. Actions have consequences, Tommy, and sneaking into my room and taking it when you know—”
“I just wanted to talk to them!” he shouted, hands fisted.
Talk to them? “What?”
Another lift and shrug of his bony shoulder.
“Oh, no. We are discussing this with words and you are going to use them. Talk to whom?”
A tear rolled down his cheek and he swiped a fist over his face.
“The guys.”
“What guys? Kids from school?”
He shook his head and then—
“No. The… The guys. Dad’s guys. From his unit.”
The news nearly took her to her knees. As it was, she had to swallow hard and hug her arms around her front just to stay on her feet. “You…play with them?”
He nodded.
“H-how long have you… I mean—”
“Always. Some of the guys knew Dad and I played together before so…when they can, we play now. I have to log on to see when they’re there, though.”
She closed her eyes and fought for the breath seizing in her lungs. “Tommy, you could’ve told me.”
“I thought it would make you sad.”
“What makes me sad is that you’ve been doing stuff you shouldn’t and getting in trouble for it, when all you had to do is be honest. And the anger and getting into trouble?”
“I’m sorry.Really. They yelled at me for that, too. Said I had to stop. I didn’t mean to hurt you, Mom. I was asleep and then you were yelling and I just… I’m sorry. I won’t do it again.”
“I’d like to believe that.”
“It’s true.”
“Tommy, you are your father’s son. You’re tall and strong and handsome,” she said, her voice breaking. “But with that physicality comes responsibilities, and that means not hurting those smaller and weaker than you.”
