So. Here they are. The three of them, found out. Your youngest child curled by the bathroom door, horrified at the too-quick words that blurted from his mouth. His brother inside, too quiet. Your daughter in a tight zigzag on the bed. Mouse can’t stop staring at the door, silently beseeching his brother to emerge out. He’s never been like this. God knows what’s ahead. There’s no map any more, their future can’t be read.
Dad said we have to remember that the family is the basic unit of society. NOT a person acting alone. The mantra, the mantra. ‘That we’re stronger TOGETHER than apart.’ And we have to do WHATEVER IT TAKES to keep together. He looked at me specially when he said this. WHY can’t I keep my mouth shut? I NEVER learn. Okay. It’s official. I should never have been born. I should not be on this planet mucking everything up. I’m NO USE. All right?
Achingly you want to break through the membrane of their world; achingly you want to scoop them up, your three lone chicks, tumbled, tumbled from their nest.
He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it.