About two months after Dane was locked up, things seemed normal. But we all know the saying, “Things aren’t always what they seem.” Or something like that. Gabriel was more observant these days and Renee was more careful. Gabriel was getting that funny feeling again. Renee could tell.

“You notice?” She suddenly asked.

“I noticed there’s something wrong.”

“Don’t worry. Just stress. I’m fretting over writer’s block.”

“Oh. That’s all?”

“Yep!” She knew it was a hit below the belt, but she smiled because she knew he would drop the subject.

At home, things weren’t as great as Renee had told Gabriel. She was learning a new side to her mother. An extremely bipolar side. It was nothing compared to Dane’s beatings though. Dane’s were much worse. Besides, what was she to do? She lost her dad, her step-dad, and now she wasn’t about to lose her mom. She didn’t want that. But her mom wouldn’t let it go. “You ruined everything!” She screamed one night. “How could you do this to me?”