Talking in your sleep... was still better than waking up screaming and crying, Paul thought. But he didn't say as much, still putting his attention towards the food that he knew he needed to eat. That and he really didn't feel like he could get to the point where he was hopeless and distraught right now.
"Him and my dad," Paul answered, setting his spoon down and reaching for the sleeve of his shirt. He rolled it up and turned a little so Glibt could see a scar that ran along his shoulder and down beneath the fabric. "That's where a shard of glass went into my shoulder after my dad shoved me and I went through our kitchen table. He was upset because my friend's dad told him that he'd caught me kissing another boy after school. So before he kicked me out be busted my lip and gave me a black eye and shoved me so hard I tripped over a chair and into the table. Then," he slid off the chair and stood, turning and tugging up his shirt where another scar ran over his hip and up towards his ribs, "is from where my ex stabbed me after I told him that I'd found a job and a cheap government-subsidized apartment after I had been going to counseling behind his back for three months. And to further prevent me from leaving be broke three ribs and cracked my jaw. My counselor sent me to Harvey went I wouldn't go to the police."
He sat back down and looked up at Glibt. "But that was just the climax of my relationship with him, really. Sure, I wasn't having sex with total strangers to pay my rent anymore and I didn't have an incredibly expensive pot habit anymore... But I exchanged those things for someone who constantly reminded me that no one wanted me and that I was a whore and that I needed him because I couldn't take care of myself. I was accepted to some of the best schools in this country, I had a 4.0 all through high school, but I was homeless because my father threw me out and my friends all moved on. Even the guy I got kicked out because of, who I thought was the love of my life, didn't want me. And he reminded, every day, and he told me that I owed it to him to do whatever he told me to do because without him I was just another worthless kid on the street who no one wanted."
Paul shrugged and reached for his drink, finishing it off at once and setting the glass back down. "He was there every time I closed by eyes, telling me that he'd kill me before he let me be with anyone else. Then Harvey took me in and suddenly I felt like someone actually wanted me... all of my flaws included."