Thomas had lived in fear and terror the past few weeks, but this was almost too much. To feel safe only to have that snatched away again.

My mother used to say not sleeping was the sign of a guilty mind. It could have been. There was a lot in my mind to feel guilty about. When you__e drunk and trying to sleep, your thoughts are visited by the ghosts of those deeds whose heat still glows hottest in your personal darkness. Our actions burn much longer than the moments in which they occur. And drunks like me, we hide from the glow of the embers by fueling other fires and hiding within the flames.

Loving my son, building my son, touching my son, playing with my son, being with my son_ these aren__ tasks that only super dads can perform. These are tasks that every dad should perform. Always. Without fail.

Freeze when you are angry: your brain needs time to cleanse the anger!

Keep cool. Anger is not an argument.

The most terrifying part was that the evil dwelling in those eyes could've gone unnoticed by many.