My Body is a Cage and Other Stories

rather than awkward. Jo would grab her by the hand when Dexys Midnight Runners came on the
radio and sing over the lyrics, “Come on, Irene.”But she is unsure how her father would have
reacted to that. And she doesn’t want to care aboutit, but she does. It turns out neither of them
brings it up. He suggests they go fishing, and sheassents because she likes sitting on docks, not
because she likes fishing.
But after they crunch through the trail to the docksshe takes a rod after all, because he
brought one for her too. They settle beside each otherand though the sun isn’t out, he plops on
his ancient ball cap that says “Women want me. Fishfear me.” The moon is bright and full so
that it flashes white off the black water.
“Thank you for coming with me,” he says.
“Yeah, no problem. Thanks for inviting me.”
He’s quiet for a while, but she knows there’s moreto come.
“Irene, I’ve missed you.”
She dips her toes into the water so as not to watchhim.
“I’ve missed you for ten years.”
She hopes he doesn’t start crying. She wouldn’t beable to watch him cry. She isn’t sure
what he’s asking, but she gives him an answer.
“After I turned eighteen, it took me a year to realizeI didn’t have an obligation to you.
And I went to see a therapist. She said I had PTSD-likesymptoms. From your house.”
He wipes a hand over his mouth. He did this any timehe was upset. The last time she saw
it was the last time she visited the house where heand her stepmother lived. Her stepmother had
slammed the door because of something her father said,but she can’t remember what. There
were too many times to remember each catalyst.