weak | choni

12: "Did You Hear What She Said"

Cheryl had fallen asleep once she came back into the bedroom, and Toni took advantage of the free time to run out and grab something to make for dinner. She decided on salmon, knowing that it was healthy and hoping that Cheryl would try to eat a few bites.

Once she got home, she peered into Cheryl's room. The small girl was still asleep, with half of her body on the mattress and the other half sprawled across the floor. Toni laughed softly, turning off the light and quietly shutting the door to give the girl some peace and quiet while she made dinner.

She prepared the salmon how her mother had always done it, glazing it with a citrus spread that made up for the lack of flavor. She hoped the sweetness would only make Cheryl want to eat it more. But she'd discovered there's no knowing when Cheryl would want to eat.

Footsteps echoed down the stairs just as Toni was sliding the food onto two plates. She looked up, meeting Cheryl's tired gaze.

"What's that smell?" Cheryl's morning voice was evident when she spoke.

"Dinner. Salmon," Toni said casually, placing the plates on the kitchen table and grabbing two cups. "What do you want to drink?"

Cheryl didn't respond, and Toni turned around to find her poking at the food with her index finger, scrunching her nose up. Toni bit her lip and set down the cups. Cheryl glanced up at her.

"I'm not hungry," she said firmly, turning to leave.

"Are you sure?" Toni asked hesitantly. She knew it had nothing to do with her cooking. Hell, Cheryl used to eat anything you'd put in front of her. Things have changed since then, though.

Cheryl mumbled a 'yeah' and disappeared back upstairs. Toni sighed and slouched down in one of the chairs, poking at her own food with the fork and forcing herself to eat some. She needed the energy if she was going to keep up with Cheryl.

Part of her was frustrated. She was trying as hard as she could to be understanding, but it was all so confusing to her. Food was good for you, right? It's what keeps you going. Why was Cheryl so against it? Couldn't she see how beautiful she already is?

Toni finished her dinner and slid the plate into the sink. She left the mess she's made earlier for later and cautiously made her way upstairs.

The door was locked.

"Cheryl?" she called, knocking on the door anxiously. Moments later the door swung open.

"Sorry. It's a bad habit," Cheryl shrugged, turning back to the bed before Toni had a chance to respond. Toni quietly shut the door behind her, studying Cheryl.

She looked like she'd been crying. Her face was red, and she'd attempted to clean the ruined makeup off of her face to make it seem like she hadn't been crying, but the mascara stains on her sleeves told Toni otherwise.

"What's wrong?" Toni stood awkwardly in front of the door.

"How do you know something's wrong?" Cheryl snapped her head up anxiously. She thought she'd covered up any evidence.

Toni just sighed and sat down on the opposite end of the bed from Cheryl, pointing to her sleeves. Cheryl looked down and cursed herself for being so careless. She folded her hands in her lap and bit her lip. "Nothing's wrong."

"Okay," Toni sighed. She knew better than to push Cheryl. "I'm here if you decide to tell me, though."

Cheryl just watched as Toni grabbed the marker and went to work on the same spot on the wall she'd sat before. Cheryl hadn't gotten a chance to see what she'd drawn, but from where she was sitting she could make out song lyrics scrawled at the bottom of the wall, where it met the carpet.