Keeping 13

Content Warning: The source text and this guide discuss emotional and physical abuse and substance use disorder.

Shannon struggles to remain conscious, bleeding profusely after being assaulted by her father. Joey confronts her mother, insisting that she choose between her husband and her children. When she refuses, he sends their nine-year-old brother, Ollie, outside with their three-year-old brother, Sean, to call his girlfriend, Aoife. His mother begs him not to take the children away and promises that she’ll leave her husband, Teddy, causing Teddy to turn on her. Joey intervenes, shoving his father.

As Shannon watches, unable to move, she sees Joey being overpowered by Teddy. However, their 11-year-old brother, Tadhg, steps in and pulls a knife on their father. He puts it to his face and demands Teddy let Joey go, cutting him when Teddy tries to refuse.

As Shannon hears her father leave and Aoife enter, she loses consciousness.

Johnny Kavanagh wakes up in the hospital, remembering everything he was told by the doctors. He cannot play rugby for at least six weeks due to a torn muscle. He needs to stay in bed for a week and then do rehab before they can even discuss returning to practice.