BOOK EXCERPT

Rafi Mittlefehldt will discuss and sign “It Looks Like This,” 7 p.m. Thursday, Brazos Bookstore, 2421 Bissonnet; 713-523-0701 or brazosbookstore.com.

“Dad’s stare is blank and dead.

“He says, ‘Go to bed, Toby.’

“Toby is in the living room. She gets up immediately, walks out of the room, glances at me only once. She looks scared.

“I look back at Dad, listen to Toby’s steps as she walks upstairs. The close of her bedroom door. Then just silence.

“Dad says, I got a call from a boy at your school.

“I was waiting for this but still hoping for something else. My stomach drops. I want to throw up.

“Dad doesn’t say anything for a while. His mouth works but no words form. He stares into space. Finally he looks back at me and says, quietly,

“Why don’t you go up to bed too?

“I say nothing. I just go.”