Chapter 123
Howard watches me closely for several minutes, making me feel uncomfortable. "Why did you go out in the first place?" He finally asks. I stare at him as though he's insane.
"To find her, of course."
"Why?"
"I was worried about her."
"Why?"
"She could have been hurt."
"Why did you think that she could have been hurt?"
"I don't know. She could have been, though."
"But why were you so worried?"
"She's my little sister and she could have been hurt! I…" I trail off, not wanting to tell him the next bit.
"You what?"
"I couldn't let her get hurt again. Not again. I couldn't let her get hurt and it be my fault. I've done that to her enough." Tears start to form in my eyes, but I fight to keep them back.
"What do you mean?" He asks, sitting down next to me on the bed.
"I've hurt her enough. Or let her get hurt."
"What do you mean, 'let her get hurt'?"
"It was my fault. It was always my fault. She would get hurt, and it would be my fault." He sighs.
"Oh, Vince. It wasn't your fault, I promise it wasn't."