“I’m here for Joe because I know he’s fucked in the head right now,” Tadhg continued, taking another swig from his bottle of Coke. “I saw it in his eyes that day in the kitchen. I saw him check out. I know he’s not here anymore. Dad broke Shannon’s lungs, but he broke Joey’s mind and Mam helped him do it.” “He’s still here, Tadhg,” I croaked out, repressing a shiver at how accurately this boy had taken his brother’s measure. “No, he’s not,” the little guy challenged. “He’s gone and you know it, too.” He gave me a hard stare when he said, “But my brother can get better. I know he can, and you
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