Joey put the shoebox back in his closet in silence. XXX She
breathed in deeply then pulled out another cigarette. Joey’s hands were roaming her body more boldly, now. “I guess,” Joey said, embarrassed. “Mama hits me sometimes, too.”
Tina had figured as much. She looked over at Joey, who was
staring at her face. She heard Joey’s breath began to speed up and he
started making little spastic sounds of pleasure. “Come on…”
Tina rolled her eyes. She’d seen him with bruises
on his arms and, a couple times, even on his face. “Hello,” he said in his usual quiet voice. “Okay,” he said softly.
