two brothers, one horror, and no words for it
Mickey over in the cot by the window always silent as a tomb, on his side, face to the wall and hidden. Never a word between them about anything more than the chances of being kissed v. hit.
Context
The abuse happens in a shared room with a witness five feet away, and the two boys sealed off from each other completely: never once, over years, does either speak to the other about the thing they both know is happening. Each is alone with it in a bed near the other's bed, and the only currency that ever passes between them is the crude weather-forecast of the father's mood — kissed or hit — which is a way of not saying anything at all. [sweep · shared-ground fathers-sons]