Brody steered the conversation away from serious topics and back towards the everyday. We talked about plans for the summer. Beaches to visit and hikes to take. Caelyn shared plans for the island’s Memorial Day parade. How the kids would all participate, and the fair that took place afterwards.

In the three years I’d been here, I’d never attended. Even when the Dowds had gone. But this year, I vowed to go. I’d watch the adorable little ones make their way down Main Street. And I’d stuff my face with funnel cake. I’d hold Brody’s hand for the whole town to see and kiss him under the starlight. I’d soak up every beautiful experience this place had to offer. And I’d do it, knowing I had friends who had my back.

36

Brody

I carried a stack of plates into the kitchen. Hunter, Griffin, and Ford all eyed the family room where the girls had gone to join in on movie night with the kids. I could hear an occasional giggle and squeal as something took place on the screen.

Hunter took the top plate from my stack, rinsing it and placing it in the dishwasher. “You want to give us the full rundown? Tell us how we can help?”

I should’ve known they wouldn’t let such a huge revelation pass without further discussion. I wouldn’t have either, not if the person affected was so close to Shay. I strained my neck to see into the family room. Little Mia was in Shay’s lap as they watched kids fight pirates on the screen. I didn’t think Shay would mind if I shared more. She’d shown tonight that she trusted these people. And, God, I was proud of her for taking that step.

I turned back to Ford and Griffin. “Her brother’s mentally ill. A conduct disorder with callous and unemotional traits. I’ve done a little digging on it, and that’s the politically correct term for a psychopath. They’re hesitant to dump that term on kids.”

Griffin grunted. “Understandable. He ever get treatment?”

“From what I’ve gathered, their parents tried over and over to get him help. Psychologists and psychiatrists. Medications and behavioral therapies. He was hospitalized repeatedly. And they had just found an in-patient treatment facility before their deaths.”

Ford leaned against the counter, shaking his head. “What happened?”

I knew more of the details from what Dante had found as opposed to what Shay had shared. I got it. I couldn’t imagine how painful it would be to relive those moments. What she’d seen and experienced. The swift punch of rage took me by surprise. I understood that Michael was ill, that he couldn’t control his actions. I even had some empathy for the boy and the man. But it didn’t drown out the rage.