Page 63 of Fruit
“We’re here because we got worried when you didn’t show up at the club,” Sebastián says. “Because we thought something might have happened to you. Because we care if something happens to you.”
Despite the pain it must cause him, Joshua scrunches up his face. “It’s none of your business. Fuck off,” Joshua says.
“We’re not leaving you, Joshua. I know that can be scary—”
“I’m notscared,” Joshua cuts Sebastián off.
“Scary because adults have probably proven to be pretty unreliable, and having us here, asking you to trust us when you’ve already been hurt, is frightening. Scary because being cared for hurts when you lose it. I get it.”
“You don’t getshit.”
“Yes. I do. I’ve been where you are, Joshua, or a place like it. Angry. Fed up. And beneath it, scared. Our situations might not be the same, but I understand the urge to push things away before they push you. But—we’re not going anywhere. No matter how hard you push. So, curse me out. We’ll still be here for you when you’re done.”
Joshua stares at Sebastián, panting as if listening to Sebastián’s speech has taken a physical toll. “I don’t give a shit about where you’ve been or what you’ve gone through.”
“That’s okay. You don’t have to. I’ll still care about whereyou’vebeen. Where you are.” Sebastián’s voice isn’t soft or cajoling. It’s calm, like he’s stating a series of facts.
Joshua clenches his jaw, the skin around his eyes tight with pain. “And what the hell are you gonna do about it, then? You want to hear me whine about it?”
“If that’s what you want to do, then yes, I’ll listen. But what I’m here to do is make sure that this never happens again.”
Joshua scoffs.
“Was your mom there when your dad hit you?” Sebastián asks, and Joshua’s eyes go a little wide before he tries to school his expression.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. My dad didn’t—”
“We already know it was him, Joshua. Does your mom know?”
Joshua stares at Sebastián in the dying light. Emotions flicker over his face like the shadows of a flame.
“No,” he clenches through his teeth eventually. “She doesn’t know.”
“Okay. I’m going to call her and—”
“Don’t!” Joshua almost shouts, taking a step forwards. Sebastián doesn’t even twitch.
“She’s either going to see you when you get home, or now. For all our sakes, how about we do it when your dad isn’t around?”
Joshua stands stiff and proud, fists clenched by his sides. There are tears in his eyes, but he doesn’t let them drop. It’s all silence until it cracks under the pressure and Joshua takes a few steps back, slumping onto the swing again. He stays there, looking down and saying nothing.
Sebastián turns to me. “I’m going to make the call. Keep an eye on him, okay?” he says quietly.
“What if she was there?”
“We’ll know by her expression when she gets here. We’ll deal with the situation then. We’re calling the police either way, so…”
“Okay.”
Sebastián manages to get the number from Joshua before stepping away to make the call. Slowly, I approach Joshua and sit on the other swing. There’s nothing I can think to say that won’t sound like a platitude. I just hope my presence is enough to show him I’m here, in any way that counts.
I look up when I hear Sebastián approach and startle when I see Hugo with him.
Sebastián puts his hand on Hugo’s shoulder. “Look who I found,” he says, only a little exasperation seeping through. Joshua looks up, and I see Hugo’s eyes widen and face pale as he takes in Joshua’s bruises.
“Joshua…” Hugo breathes. Joshua looks away from him, hiding his face. Hugo chews on his lip. “Are you mad at me for telling?” Hugo asks, and it’s the right thing to say, causing Joshua to look up.
“No,” Joshua says.
