ROSALINE

Gerald's dad slammed the door behind him, the sound reverberating through the room, driving shivers through our spines. I watched as Gerald's dad trailed off and drove out in his car.

I stared at the divorce papers , my heart pounding in my chest, my hands trembling. I couldn't bring myself to look up at Gerald nor at his mother. His silence was more deafening than his father's outburst. I knew he was processing everything, but I couldn't shake the dread in my stomach.

My jaw dropped. My eyes finally met with Gerald and then his mother. Gerald stared at open space with raised eyebrows and a slightly agape...