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urge of tears. "Your body is changing in ways it's not supposed to, not until you're older. And Dr. Tojian wants to stop it from doing that and make you better. You need help, honey, and the only way to cure you is for you to have more tests done . . ." |
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He brought his fist down so hard, the dishes clattered in place. "He knows? You told him?" |
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"He's your doctor, Matty. Your blood tests told him you've got a problem" |
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"I don't have a damn problem." |
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She put her hand on his shoulder but he recoiled. |
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"Matty, listen," Calvin said, "the other night I accidentally walked into the bathroom while you were taking a shower . . ." |
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His face screwed up and his cheeks burned as if slapped. |
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"Honey, I saw you . . . naked." |
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His eyes flared. "You were spying on me," he screamed. "That's what you were doing, you goddamn dork. You were spying on me. You didn't have to do that." |
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"I wasn't spying on you." |
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"You were. You were. I hate you. Dad. I hate you." Suddenly Matty's whole face seemed to shifthis eyes slitted and his lips pulled back. "You . . ." His voice was full of gravel. "Your ass is grass." |
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Calvin was too shocked to move. Matty kicked his chair so it skidded across the floor and into Calvin's legs. Calvin picked up the chair holding it in front of him, looking for an absurd moment like a lion tamer. Matty started toward him, still growling, his hands raised, fingers open. When Terry screamed, Matty swiped at her, just missing her face with the back of his hand. Suddenly Calvin slammed down the chair and pushed himself up against Matty. |
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"You want to hit me, Matthew? Huh? Is that what you want to do?" He put his hands by his sides. "Come on, take a swipe at me. Come on, hit me." |
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"Calvin, don't," Terry pleaded. |
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Matty suddenly froze. He blinked several times as if coming to. He looked at Terry, then back to Calvin as if wondering why she was crying and why his father was standing there in the middle of the kitchen challenging him to hit him. A moment later he walked |
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