The Rules of Survival by Nancy Werlin

Matthew lives a life of fear. He fears something that is out of his control, something so unpredictable and explosive that he nevers knows what will happen from minute to minute. He holds his breath, praying that this hour will be safe, maybe the next. He is afraid for himself, but more than that his afraid for his sisters. He has no means of escape and the problem won't go away.

The problem is his mother.

Matthew lives in a small, rundown apartment in Boston with his sisters and his mother Nikki. Nikki is an emotionally unstable woman who continually uses her children when she needs them, neglects them when she doesn't, puts them in danger, comes home drunk, and sometimes doesn't come home at all. Matthew and Callie, because they are the oldest, have the responsibility of taking care of themselves as well as Emmy. They try to live their lives quietly and gauge Nikki's mood in order to try and keep her calm.
When Matthew and Callie meet Murdoch McIlvane, they think they may have met the answer to their prayers. Matthew hopes Murdoch can save them. But can he?

***** stars!