Chapter 6

Shenya came in the next day frantic.

“My mother wants to move to Chicago,” she explained before school on the top stage, while eating apple slices.

“Chicago? But that’s five states away!” Tristan exclaimed.

“I know. I want to stay here, with you.”

“I want you to stay here, too. Why did she suddenly decide to move?” Tristan asked.

“The neighbors are starting to get suspicious of us. She’ll take me away next week,” Shenya replied, tears streaming down her face.

Tristan held her to him as she cried. He took the slice of apple out of her hand and put it back in the bag he got it out of.

“We could still write. I’ll give you my address and you can give me yours,” Tristan suggested softly.

“She’ll see it.”

“Not if you get the mail everyday and hide my letters,” he whispered softly.

Tristan heard the bell ring in the background.

“Think about it. I’ll meet you here for lunch,” Tristan replied, helping her down and kissing her softly on the lips. He handed Shenya her books, and she immediately ran for English. He took his own and walked to History.

Shenya stood before her mother, staring down at the broken dish on the floor.

“I’m . . . I’m sorry!” she sobbed as she scrambled to pick up the pieces. It was all her fault. If she hadn’t been so clumsy, her mother wouldn’t have to punish her.

Her vision seemed clouded; a roaring sound was in her ears. She didn’t realize what had happened until her mother pulled the knife from her stomach. All she could see was red. Then black, as she passed out.

Shenya awoke in a bed. She sighed at the luxury she didn’t have at home. She turned her head and saw her mother, asleep in a chair.

Her mother’s face looked angelic, almost. The sunlight from the window streamed down upon her face. Plants were set up near the window, and a series of steady beeps made her look up at the monitor above her. She couldn’t remember what it was called, but it showed her heart rate with lines.

A doctor walked in, humming quietly to herself. She wore a white lab coat, with a light pink shirt and yellow skirt. She was pleasantly plump, with a stethoscope hanging around her neck.

“Oh, you’re awake!” she sounded surprised. The exclamation woke her mother, who smiled and greeted them both, referring to Shenya as “sweetie.” Shenya played along until the doctor left to get her some food.

“You pay when we get home,” her mother hissed. Shenya shuddered, for she knew better than to believe she was speaking of the hospital bill. Just then the doctor came in. “I’ll come visit you later. I have to go to work.”

Shenya gulped down the food, it being the first she had seen in two days or so. She barely even tasted the tomato soup, grilled cheese, crackers and pudding. Although, she later reflected, that was probably for the best.

“My, you are hungry,” the doctor observed. “I really hope you are over the suicidal tendencies.” So that was the lie her mother had told to explain the injuries. “Now, there is something you should know. Do you realize you were pregnant?”

Shenya paled considerably. “Pregnant?” All she could think of was Tristan. What would happen to him? Would he dump her if he found out? Then the sentence really hit her. “What do you mean ‘were?’”

“I’m sorry, Shenya. We tried to save it . . .” Shenya heard no more.

“Does Mom know? Please don’t tell her!” Shenya begged. The nurse shook her head.

“According to Confidentiality laws, we can only tell you. Your mother doesn’t have to know.” Shenya felt so relieved, she decided to sleep for a while.

Shenya looked out the window and watched the buildings go by. She could hear her mother muttering threats to her. At the moment, though, she was safe. She knew her mother would not risk torturing her in a public place. She also knew that she no longer cared, at least for the moment. She had been numb since she had woken up.

She was brought out of her musings when her mother pulled into the driveway. She realized that her face was wet from tears.

“Scared are you? Good. Wash the dishes and put them away. You have two minutes starting now,” her mother ordered as she unlocked the door. Shenya dashed into the kitchen, appalled to see the sink overflowing with dirty dishes. She started the water immediately.