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“We don’t have a choice, Johnny,” Dad replied wearily. “We have to return them—preferably before their mother realizes that they’re gone.”

“That family is in dire need of an intervention,” Mam choked out. “I don’t know what’s wrong with the world, but I can’t understand how they’re just left in that home with her—or how that man is walking around scot-free.”

“Calm down, sweetheart,” Dad coaxed, rubbing her arm.

“It’s not fair, John,” she choked out. “I can’tbearit.”

“No, it’s not fair,” Dad agreed. “But you can’t be getting yourself worked up over it.”

“Look at them, John!” Stalking over to the window, she pointed outside to where Gibsie was rolling around on the lawn with the three boys. “Lookat them.”

“I see them, Edel,” Dad replied calmly. “I see everything you’re seeing, sweetheart.”

“If you see them, then how can you possibly expect me to send themback?” Mam hissed. “Something has to be done.Betterhas to be done for those children! They’re just kids. They don’t understand, and they don’t deserve this. And Shannon?” Mam’s expression caved. “Hesaw, John.” She pointed a shaky finger at me. “Our son recognized it from the very beginning. He might not have understood what he was seeing, but he heard the cry for help. He heardher. And he unraveled a darkness no child should be exposed to.”

“Iknow,” Dad replied, giving her a meaningful look. “But right now, we don’t have a legal leg to stand on. Do you want your son to be arrested, sweetheart? Because that’s exactly what will happen if we don’t do this therightway.”

“Thenwhen?” Mam choked out. “When, John?”

“When what, Ma?” I asked, watching her carefully. Mam opened her mouth to respond, but my father got there first.

“Edel.” He shook his head in warning. “This isn’t a conversation I want us to have in front of our son.”

“Do what the right way?” I asked, suspicious. “What’s going on here?”

“Don’t ask questions,” my father said. “I promise, you don’t need to know.”

“Of course I need to know, Da—”

“No, Johnny, you don’t!” he snapped. “You need to trust me andnotask questions.”

“I can’t do it,” Mam choked out, dropping her head in her hands. “I can’t send them back there.”

“Johnny, I need you to text their brother,” Dad instructed. “Ask Joey to come over here.”

“What?” My brow furrowed. “Now?”

Dad nodded. “Now.”

“Why Joey?”

“Because he’s over eighteen and the least likely to have you arrested,” Dad shot back.

“Fuck,” I muttered.

“Yes,” Dad offered. “Fuck indeed, son.”

“But Da, I don’t think they should go back there—”

“Do what I say,” Dad ordered. “I’ve never guided you wrong before, and I don’t have plans on starting, so just trust me and text their brother.”

Frustrated, I dragged my phone out of my pocket and sighed dejectedly. “What do you want me to say?”

“Tell him the truth,” Dad commanded. “Tell him exactly what you told us and ask him to come pick them up.”

“No.” Mam shook her head. “Please, John—”

“Trust me,” Dad bit out. “This is the only way, Edel.”

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