Shadows From the Abyss

Northern California Dreamin

"So I'm going back to California with Papa Dave," Shawn said, avoiding Dr. Jayce's gaze by staring at the floor and playing with a thread hanging from the hole in the knee of his jeans. "I'm excited to see everyone but I'm really terrified something's going to happen or I'm going to freak out in front of everyone and be judged."

"Why would they judge you?"

"Dad hasn't always been the best at processing how I feel or knowing how to help me cope. He's doing better now but I know people will only change so much. It's also easier to stay calm when you're on the phone and your child is freaking out versus in person. I really don't want to be around Billie but he and Dave get along so well and I'll have to see him if I want anything to do with Gloria."

"Does Dave like your Dad?"

"In very small doses. He tolerates him more than anything."

"Is it because how he treated your Mom?"

"Oh yeah. And how he handled the whole thing with Frankito. Because he didn't have my back at all when it happened. He doubted that it ever happened. He acted like I was just making everything up." Shawn rubbed his face, his fingers tracing the spot where he had been punched that night.

"So you've told me about what happened. And you've told me about the fallout. But you always jump over what immediately happened after."

Shawn sighed. He really didn't want to get in to this today but fuck it, he was already here. "Dad took a swing at Billie and hit me instead. Full force."

"Ouch."

"Billie got me the hell out of there, finally got me to calm down and was smart enough to document every bruise, bite or mark on my body."

"Did he call the police?"

Shawn hesitated, preparing for the judgment that was about to be cast. "No. None of them ever called the cops for anything. Even when Mike kicked the shit out of him, he would just vanish for a few days, they'd hash it out on their own and then they were fine. Cops lead to reports which lead to media attention."

"That's..."

"Stupid and impractical? We know."

"How did you Mom fit in with that mind set?"

"Well, she she never reported any of their fights that got physical and hid any evidence well enough. I know she and Mike became best friends and were practically attached at the hip at times because he always tried to protect her if she would let him. Anytime it would get really rough after they were divorced, Mike would take her camping or something just to get her away from everything so she could clear her head."

"So Mike's the bassist, right?"

"Yeah. He and Billie have been best friends since they were ten."

"He strikes me as the kind one of the group."

"Oh Mike's the fuckin best, man. He's always there when you need him." The smile on Shawn's face faded. "He dated Mom for a little bit but it didn't last. But they were always best friends and he was always around. Shit, he bought her the townhouse we lived in for two years."

"So he was almost a second father to you?"

"More of an uncle than father. Billie was the one who stepped up with the step father role."

"So how was your parents relationship after the divorce?"

"Bitter. Their custody battle was awful. Mom lucked out with her lawyer though and they worked something out that was pretty decent but it took a few years. After everything was finalized and we moved back here though it got a lot better."