Mirrored Cuts

Chapter 59

My parents brought me back to my dorm once the hospital had discharged me. I said goodbye to them. My father said "see you tomorrow" but instead of being comforting it sounded like a warning. I trudged up the stairs to my room where Ruby was waiting.

"What the hell happened?" she said.

"You got that right," I said.

"There's glass everywhere. Why didn't you tell me? I could have hurt myself."

I revealed my neon white boxing glove hand.

"It was intentional?" She paused. "Did they give you any drugs?

"Just a prescription for extra strong Advil, some local anesthetic."

"I thought you said your parents were coming," she said, going to the door and looking both ways.

"They did," I said.

"You have major issues. Will you at least pay for the mirror?"

I nodded, unsurprised.

* * *

At dinner the next day, my father ordered a bottle of wine with authority. A full-bodied red, he said.

"May I recommend the 2007?"

"That'll do," he said.

I waited until he was a glass in. Then, I thought, better wait for two. My mother ate in silence. My father supplied the conversation, which consisted mainly of how difficult his work was and how grateful I should be for his work.

"I've decided I'm going to be a doctor," I said.

He finished a sip and trained his gaze on me. "A doctor, huh."

I cut another piece of my deconstructed chicken Parmesan, holding my knife like it would come alive any second because of my injury.

"You know that requires good grades, don't you?"

I wondered if he really did think I was stupid.

"A toast," he said, hoisting up his glass. "To my daughter's success!"

My mother and I hesitantly raised our water glasses and clinked with his. I wished my brother could be here to see this but they had left him home so he wouldn't miss any school. He would have loved that my plan was working! My father had accepted my proposal and his demeanor had changed as a result. The rest of the night was a warm glow. My father called for another wine glass and the waitress hurried over to bring it. As the red liquid splashed down my throat I thought, I should have done this sooner. My mother smiled at me and at my father, her light mixing with ours.

They drove me home and I climbed into bed knowing I had done something right. I was on the path to being successful and successful meant happy. I was going to be happy.

I woke up to a hard rap on the door. "Who is it?" I said, the high altitude of the bunk bed addling my brain functions.

"Open the door, Andrea."

I shot up. My real father was back. "One second!"

I fell down the ladder and scuttled to the door. "Is everything okay?" I rubbed my shoulder to brush off the chill that had settled.

"Your mother and I are going home," he said. "You have a big dream, Andi. I'm disappointed you haven't been trying harder."

"I have..." I stuttered. Stupid stutter.

"Your grades are abhorrent and you insist on traipsing around with this crew of do-nothings. This just won't do if being a doctor is what you want."