Page 34 - Reason To Sing by Kelita Haverland

Reason To Sing

How can this be happening? Why won’t she say something to
stop him?
I want to call for help. But who?
I want to feel safe. But Mommy and Daddy can’t protect
me. I don’t think they can even see me. I am the invisible 10
year-old child.
I take a deep breath and stare out the window. I will be
strong and I will not cry. I have to be strong. I am caught
between Mommy and Daddy. I don’t want to be caught in the
middle but here I am.
Daddy slowly picks himself off the floor. He stands shakily,
then leans against the wall. Should I go to him?
I can’t.
I bend down and help Mommy pick the pieces off the floor.
We work together in silence.
Say something to him, Mommy. Please! Tell him it’s okay. Tell
Daddy you know it was an accident. Say something. PLEASE
MOMMY PLEASE, say something!
Nothing. The quiet is all-consuming. We hear Daddy
staggering down the hall. Mommy remains still. No expression.
But I know her mind is churning furiously. There is a war
raging inside her. All her thoughts are trapped behind a giant
steel door.
But they’re not. They are strong and, like the pickle juice, I
can feel them spilling out everywhere.
What if this is a mess that is impossible to fix?

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