Jordan was no stranger to upheaval and he knew what to do when bad things happened to him, no matter exactly what they were. He could take comfort in a cigarette or in breaking into his dad's vodka bottles, being sure to replace whatever he took. But that was just him, despite the suffering inflicted onto him, Jordan had never had to worry about another person. But Angela was here in his arms and he had to care for her. There had been times in his life, more so as he got older when he felt like the onslaught of his father's drinking was too much to handle, that he could feel himself floating away, like he was no longer there.

Like it was happening to someone else. It was almost an empty feeling, and while he knew he barely understood his feelings, he knew it was something that kept him alive, able to go through the motions. It was an empty existence but it was the only safe existence.

He still felt that way now that his father was gone, only Angela reminding him he was still here. He took a close look at her, seeing the red marks of tears streaking across her face. It was a shock to her system and Jordan was unsettled by the jealousy he felt towards her, resentful that he had been through so much at her age but she had never experienced this pain before. His thoughts horrified him and he tried to bury it down, holding Angela tighter.

The room was silent but there was a heaviness that defied the light pouring through Angela's bedroom window. Jordan was used to that oppressive feeling but to Angela, the realization of her father's affair felt earth shattering.

"Why would he do this?" She whispered, still not believing the words she was saying.

Patty just looked at her daughter, sorrow evident in her eyes. She took a deep breath and opened her mouth, but found she couldn't find the words to say.

She sat at the foot of Angela's bed, reaching to stroke her daughter's hair. Angela didn't respond though Jordan could see she could feel it.

Patty once again tried to find her words and Jordan could see the look on her face meant she knew this was coming. He had known too but like Patty, he tried his best to pretend otherwise, not wanting to imagine the pain it would cause Angela.

Finally, she took a breath, opening her mouth once again as she struggled to hold back her tears.

"Your father and I have been having difficulty for some time."

It was excruciating to admit and Jordan found himself looking at Patty as she stroked Angela's hair, his arms still wrapped around Angela. He knew she hadn't always liked him but he had nothing but sympathy for her. She briefly made eye contact and he knew he could see the sorrow he felt for them both.

Angela tried to breathe but all she could do was exhale a sob. She was perfectly still with a far away look in her eyes and Jordan realized she was somewhere else, like he had been after his father's rages.

Patty was still at her daughter's side and she kept stroking Angela's hair, looking even closer to crying.

"We both decided it might be a good idea to take a break for a while."

Angela didn't look up, still frozen in place on her pillow.

"For how long?"

"I don't know." Patty admitted

Jordan held her tighter and to his surprise, she didn't seem to acknowledge him moving closer to her, trying to hold her as tight as he could.

It was like time had stopped and for once Jordan was glad he could float away, glad that things didn't seem real to him.

Angela needed him and he would do anything to be there for her. To be there with her.

Danielle was a smart kid and while she remained downstairs that morning, Jordan knew she could tell something was wrong.

He was proven right at the dinner table, the family dining on spaghetti. Patty had made dinner, refusing help from Jordan and her daughters and Danielle twirled her fork in her bowl, clearly deep in thought. It was 6:30 and Graham still hadn't returned home and both girls kept glancing at the door, waiting for the familiar click of the key in the doorknob.

By the time it was seven, there was still no sign of Graham. Patty had already left the table and gone to bed, clearing her almost untouched plate in the sink.

Angela just threw her pasta in the trash and made her way upstairs to shower before bed. Jordan stayed at the table and felt awkward as Danielle stared at him.

"Do you think dad will be home soon?' she asked and Jordan was surprised at how the question cut him. Jordan was able to stay calm most of the time but then there were a handful of sayings that could make him feel like he was back in his worst moments, so vivid it was like he there again, no matter how many years it had been.

He hadn't been that much younger than Danielle when he asked his mother that same question. She promised she'd be back for him soon, she just needed to find a place to live and she'd be back.

She'd made the promise she come back soon when he was eleven. Six years later, he could still remember it all in excruciating detail.

"I don't know." he admitted

He didn't want to lie to Danielle. He didn't want to give her false hope.

Maybe Graham would walk through the door later tonight. But Jordan knew it was unlikely.

"He promised me he'd take me to buy a skateboard this weekend."

"What kind of skateboard?"

"It's got blue and green stripes on it and I've been saving up the money for two months. I saw it in the mall on Hill Street."

"I know where that is." said Jordan. "You know what, if your dad can't take you, I'll ask your mom if I can drop you off. It's on my way to work."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"Thank you, Jordan."

Danielle was the only person who had actually finished her spaghetti and when she got up to clear her plate, she surprised Jordan by pulling him into a hug.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome." he replied. Danielle left the dining room and Jordan quickly got up to rinse off his plate. Angela was still in the shower and Jordan wasn't sure how long she'd been in there. He was starting to get worried.