Patrick wanted very much to find Mairead's parents and punch them right in their stupid faces, and it showed. His blood was boiling, but he was managing not to swear. Barely.
"I'm in the way," Mairead answered. "If they didn't have me things would be easier. I don't know," she shook her head sadly. Then she raised her shirt to show them the gigantic, dark bruise on her side. "He knocked me into the wall the other day just because I asked for a ride to school. Said I cost too much money and we don't have any."
"How long has this been going on, May?" Patrick asked through gritted teeth.
Mairead turned red again and she ducked her head. "Uhm. Couple of months. Five. Maybe six."
Patrick wanted to scream. This meant Mairead had been going through this most of the time they had known her.