Shunned (Bruno's Kid)

Confession

          After our little talk Camilo said he'd help me tell the family, I relayed this to Abuela, and finally invited Alessandra to the meeting. After hours of waiting and stressing, the moment is finally here. I sit down as Abuela begins to announce things, though I am only halfway listening, distracted by my stress. "And finally, it has come to my attention that we need to discuss something. Alex, Camilo, if you would." She says, looking at me specifically.

        My heart is beating out of my chest as I go to tell my entire family. Camilo grabs my hand as we step to the front of the room. Everyone is staring at us, I look at them, my eyes settle on papi. I quickly break eye contact with him and my eyes shift to Alessandra, it's not any better. I look at Camilo, wo looks at me and nods and I take a deep breath. "Eleven months and fourteen days ago, I hid in my room for ten days. I ate very little, drank very little, and didn't sleep at all." I say pausing as many of my family members gasp and make worried noises, Camilo gives my hand a little squeeze. "Despite these things being bad, they're not what we want to share with you." I say taking a deep breath. "Eleven months and fourteen days ago, I was trying to go to sleep when I heard a noise on the roof above me." Camilo takes over, the family waits in shock to see what has happened. "I look out my window and see someone standing near the edge of the roof." Camilo says, squeezing my hand to signify my turn. I look back up to my family, who is staring at us with anticipation.

        "Eleven months and four days ago, I heard some very unkind things said about me so I hid. Deciding to bathe ten days later I heard someone basically say that I was an obstacle, only getting in the way of things." I say, Camilo and I share a long look before turning back to the crowd.

        "Eleven months and fourteen days ago, I tried to end my life"

        "Eleven months and fourteen days ago, Alex tried to take their life."

        Camilo and I say in unison, there is silence, tears prick my eyes. A chorus of shocked and angry family members chimed in.

        "YOU WHAT!"

        "Alex... why didn't you say something."

        "This... is all my fault."

        "I should have been there."

        After everyone calmed down we promised to explain to the best of our ability. "I don't exactly know why I did it. Maybe it was the sleep deprivation, the hunger, a combination of these things. All I know is I looked out my window and something just clicked. I saw it as my exit ticket, my way out, and I was going to take it. That was until..."

         Camilo got the idea, at this point I could feel the tears running down my face"Until I saw them, they just stepped off the roof and I grabbed their ruana. I pulled them back onto the roof and took them inside. I made them eat and drink, got them clean clothes, and lulled them to sleep, but for me sleep would be impossible. I lied awake hoping that it was all a horrible dream and that I would wake up."

        "Unfortunately, it was not a dream I woke the next afternoon to Camilo crying. After that he kept a close eye on me. He made sure I was not left on my own for three months, even now he still makes me talk. We have what we call 'exchange therapy sessions' where wee both vent." I close my eyes, and look up. Everyone is crying, they all wrap us in embraces.

        "What did I tell you about emotions, Alex?" Papi asks crying, I look down shamefully. "From now on, we'll all be more open about how we feel." I say loud enough that everyone can hear, the response was unanimously positive.