Attachment Strings by Chris T. Kat Page A

clinking sound of metal against porcelain.
    “Wouldn’t it be, uh, safer to use plastic cutlery?” I asked.
    “That’s your question?” Alex retorted mockingly. He didn’t try to conceal his anger. I didn’t blame him. I was angry with myself. Though we probably had different reasons. I didn’t like making a fool of myself.
    “No, it’s not. I’m simply curious as to why.”
    “Plastic isn’t good. It breaks too easily and you don’t want a plastic fork or spoon to break in someone’s mouth. The risk of severe injuries is too big.”
    Alex guided Sean’s hand with the fork to his mouth and, after he’d taken the bite, helped him lower that hand. Sean chewed openmouthed, but Alex quickly laid fingers underneath his chin and with that Sean’s mouth closed. The movement spoke of practice. Curiosity got the better of me and I asked, “Where are your parents?”
    Alex’s shoulders tensed immediately. “That’s none of your business. Do you mind asking the questions you’re here for?”
    Heat rose in my face. I had overstepped the line and he did have reason to be angry with me. Despite this knowledge and maybe because of my guilty conscience, I snapped, “I know you like to be in charge, but this is a police investigation. We are in charge and you’re not.”
    At first, his face lost all color. Seconds later his cheeks reddened and he ducked his head. He busied himself by helping Sean pierce another piece of his sandwich. Sean scowled at me and ranted loudly. At least I interpreted his gibberish as a rant. He didn’t seem too fond of me and my attitude toward his big brother.
    Parker thwarted any other comment by saying, “Have you received any threats on Sean’s life?”
    Alex blanched. The next second he erupted. “Are you insane ? How can you ask such a question with Sean in the same room? Why would someone threaten him? Oh wait, is this some perverse game of getting back at me?”
    Parker slowly shook his head whereas I planted my hands on the table surface, bent over a bit, and asked, “Did you just accuse us of using our jobs for getting back at you ? Have you been watching too many bad cop movies?”
    “What am I supposed to think? You acted like a nutcase yesterday just because I had to get back home earlier than I assumed. Next thing I know, you’re here, asking idiotic questions, and showing very clearly how disgusted you—oh shit!”

Chapter 10

     
     
    T HE fork crashed down hard on the plate. So hard in fact that a delicate fracture line became visible. Alex’s furious face softened as he turned around to his brother. The boy mewled pitifully and tears rolled down his cheeks. “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry, baby. I didn’t mean… they don’t… oh please, hush now. No one is disgusted by you.”
    Sean started to cry in earnest. Parker and I exchanged an embarrassed and very helpless look. We watched uneasily as Alex heaved Sean out of his wheelchair and placed him on his lap. He rocked back and forth lightly, all the while murmuring soft, soothing words into Sean’s ear.
    It took Sean a long time to calm down. Alex asked me to hand him a paper towel and used it to clean up Sean’s face. My gut knotted in sympathy when Sean’s face emerged from his hiding place against Alex’s chest. It was blotchy and his eyes were red-rimmed and swollen. Suddenly, he simply looked like a lost and hurt little boy. There was no place for any kind of disgust in my heart, only guilt and shame.
    Reluctantly, I offered, “I’m sorry if we upset your brother. I didn’t think he’d understand what we’re talking about.”
    Alex’s eyes literally blazed, but I was too distracted by Parker’s elbow in my ribs to comment on that. After I had gasped for breath, I snarled, “ What ?”
    “Are you trying to win first place in a who’s-the-best-jerk competition?”
    “Maybe he’s less a jerk rather than a pompous ass with no regards for the feelings of other people. Or maybe he has no tact at