house.
When I was fifteen, my aunt and uncle’s arguments abruptly stopped. Or they realized I could hear them, and kept their quarreling to times when I wasn’t around.
I didn’t want revenge. I wanted justice. To see Chief Hadley rotting away in a prison cell forever.
At some point I know he stepped down as the chief. A new man took his place. I asked my aunt what happened. All she said was, “He got what he deserved.” I asked what she meant, and she shushed me. Told me not to worry about it.
Now that I’m going to school with his son, I can’t help but worry, and wonder if I should research his dad on the internet. Something I’ve done a handful of times, and under the supervision of my aunt.
“Maddie?” Gina touches my arm.
“I don’t blame Kyle. I don’t.” I shake my head, realizing I mean it. “But when I see him, or I’m near him, I remember what his father did to my parents. And if his father is evil, well then…” I don’t finish the sentence. My body has rebelled against my mind. My aunt’s words, bad men raise bad kids , fling themselves through my thoughts. My body doesn’t believe it.
“You think Kyle is evil too.” She takes a deep breath, crossing her arms. “I get that. I do. Obviously my mom chose not to deal with her problems, and I’m the same way.” She sniffs. “But you should give Kyle a chance, especially if you feel so strongly about him.” She rolls on her side, faces me. Her eyes are the color of dark chocolate, and they’re staring at me intently.
I gasp, wishing I could let it all go. Close my eyes and forget. But I can’t. I’m not made that way. “I-I don’t know if that’s possible. Alcohol helps.” I snort, feeling ashamed for stating so bluntly my immediate weakness for the burning liquid.
Gina busts out laughing. “Yeah, it does. If only it didn’t have those nasty morning after side effect s.”
“We should come up with something. We’d be world heroes.” I laugh with her.
Gina leans over and kisses my cheek. “Thanks for the chat.” She climbs off my bed and falls onto hers. “I’m sleeping straight through tomorrow. Wake me for class on Monday.”
“Night, Gina.”
Minutes later her breathing has evened out and I know she’s asleep. It doesn’t come as easily for me. I can’t help thinking about Kyle and my reasons for shutting him out. Without debating the consequences, I pick up my new phone and text Kyle.
Sorry. Roommate and I were talking. Thanks for the phone.
I stare at the screen for several minutes, waiting for him to respond. He doesn’t, and I roll on my side, pull my comforter up to my neck, and close my eyes.
I’ve been asleep either thirty seconds or three hours when the phone pings.
You’re welcome.
16
Maddie
My Heart is in My Throat
I’m nervous about meeting the other half of my duet. Professor Jenkins told me to meet my partner in Piano Room 3. I’ve been to the room several times already. Professor Jenkins teaches his private lessons in there. That’s fine.
What isn’t fine is that I have no idea who my partner is . What if she’s bad? What if she’s hard to work with? What if she hates me?
I enter the Fine Arts b uilding, walk down stairs, and open the heavy door to the practice room. I can’t help the intense sigh of relief that enters and exits my lungs. I imagine this is what religious people get from prayer. Calming. Fortifying.
There’s still five minutes until our meeting time, so I walk slowly, enjoying the muffled sounds filling the hallway. As I get closer to the designated room, a strain of music rises above the others. It’s heartbreaking, full of longing, sadness, and hope. I stop, unable to move. It’s beyond beautiful. Finally I have to see who’s playing. My heart demands it.
I run to the door and peer through the small rectangular window. My body registers who it is before my mind does, and my mouth falls open. New sets of butterflies have hatched inside my
When I was fifteen, my aunt and uncle’s arguments abruptly stopped. Or they realized I could hear them, and kept their quarreling to times when I wasn’t around.
I didn’t want revenge. I wanted justice. To see Chief Hadley rotting away in a prison cell forever.
At some point I know he stepped down as the chief. A new man took his place. I asked my aunt what happened. All she said was, “He got what he deserved.” I asked what she meant, and she shushed me. Told me not to worry about it.
Now that I’m going to school with his son, I can’t help but worry, and wonder if I should research his dad on the internet. Something I’ve done a handful of times, and under the supervision of my aunt.
“Maddie?” Gina touches my arm.
“I don’t blame Kyle. I don’t.” I shake my head, realizing I mean it. “But when I see him, or I’m near him, I remember what his father did to my parents. And if his father is evil, well then…” I don’t finish the sentence. My body has rebelled against my mind. My aunt’s words, bad men raise bad kids , fling themselves through my thoughts. My body doesn’t believe it.
“You think Kyle is evil too.” She takes a deep breath, crossing her arms. “I get that. I do. Obviously my mom chose not to deal with her problems, and I’m the same way.” She sniffs. “But you should give Kyle a chance, especially if you feel so strongly about him.” She rolls on her side, faces me. Her eyes are the color of dark chocolate, and they’re staring at me intently.
I gasp, wishing I could let it all go. Close my eyes and forget. But I can’t. I’m not made that way. “I-I don’t know if that’s possible. Alcohol helps.” I snort, feeling ashamed for stating so bluntly my immediate weakness for the burning liquid.
Gina busts out laughing. “Yeah, it does. If only it didn’t have those nasty morning after side effect s.”
“We should come up with something. We’d be world heroes.” I laugh with her.
Gina leans over and kisses my cheek. “Thanks for the chat.” She climbs off my bed and falls onto hers. “I’m sleeping straight through tomorrow. Wake me for class on Monday.”
“Night, Gina.”
Minutes later her breathing has evened out and I know she’s asleep. It doesn’t come as easily for me. I can’t help thinking about Kyle and my reasons for shutting him out. Without debating the consequences, I pick up my new phone and text Kyle.
Sorry. Roommate and I were talking. Thanks for the phone.
I stare at the screen for several minutes, waiting for him to respond. He doesn’t, and I roll on my side, pull my comforter up to my neck, and close my eyes.
I’ve been asleep either thirty seconds or three hours when the phone pings.
You’re welcome.
16
Maddie
My Heart is in My Throat
I’m nervous about meeting the other half of my duet. Professor Jenkins told me to meet my partner in Piano Room 3. I’ve been to the room several times already. Professor Jenkins teaches his private lessons in there. That’s fine.
What isn’t fine is that I have no idea who my partner is . What if she’s bad? What if she’s hard to work with? What if she hates me?
I enter the Fine Arts b uilding, walk down stairs, and open the heavy door to the practice room. I can’t help the intense sigh of relief that enters and exits my lungs. I imagine this is what religious people get from prayer. Calming. Fortifying.
There’s still five minutes until our meeting time, so I walk slowly, enjoying the muffled sounds filling the hallway. As I get closer to the designated room, a strain of music rises above the others. It’s heartbreaking, full of longing, sadness, and hope. I stop, unable to move. It’s beyond beautiful. Finally I have to see who’s playing. My heart demands it.
I run to the door and peer through the small rectangular window. My body registers who it is before my mind does, and my mouth falls open. New sets of butterflies have hatched inside my
Similar Books
