I was watching TV alone for a change. Darry had gone to bed early (it was only 11), and Pony was finishing up some of his homework in the room we shared. None of the other guys were over, and I figured I'd just go to bed myself when this show ended, but then I heard the screen door bang.
I glanced up and was unsurprised to see Steve. What did surprise me was the black eye he was trying to hide. I couldn't hide the concern in my eyes, but I asked lightly,
"What happened to you, buddy? Meet up with some Soc's on your way over here?"
Steve shook his head abruptly and threw himself on the couch next to me. He didn't seem like he was planning on answering me anytime soon… if ever… so I turned back to the television, assuming he'd talk if he needed to. If I had to guess, I figured his old man had been beating up on him again. It happens a lot, and it kills Steve every time it does, but if there's anything he hates almost as much as dealing with his father, it's talking about it… which was why I was pretty surprised when he muttered, "He did it again."
"Yeah?" I was careful not to turn my head, and I kept looking at the screen.
He was quiet for another minute when he said, even lower than the first time, "I hit him back this time."
Without realizing what I was doing, I whipped my head around and looked right at Steve, who was still pretending to watch TV.
"You did WHAT?" I asked, trying to control my voice but only barely succeeding.
He continued staring straight ahead, so I reluctantly turned back, and once I was no longer looking at him, he said, "he kicked me out," and this time I detected the faintest tremor in his voice. I said quickly, "you know you can stay here."
"Thanks," he mumbled. He was staring down at his lap, so I turned off the TV and then slung my arm across his shoulders. Neither of us spoke, and after a few minutes, he cleared his throat and said brusquely, "I should just sleep on the couch?"
"Sure," I said. I got up and grabbed a blanket out of the closet. "Here, in case it gets cold."
Steve nodded and stretched out on the couch, sighing deeply. I turned off the light and went to bed. I knew I'd have a lot to talk about with my brothers in the morning. I wish I'd known then what the morning would bring.
