Her Story: October Ivory

12

            Lee and I were standing in the bathroom by the sinks as I cried shamefully. She hasn't said anything she just stared at me with concern and sadness.

         "Y-You don't have to worry about me," I finally spoke as I wiped my nose with the sleeve of my hoodie. "I know you have more important things to focus on."

          "Don't say that. We friends now and I care about my friends. Are you ready to talk?" A few girls came in, talking loudly and I looked the other way. "Get out," Lee told them.

           "Girl no the hell? This bathroom for everybody."

             "And it's other bathrooms in this school. Fuck off." I heard them scoff but they left and Lee went to lock the door. "October? Look at me. Let me see yo face again." She gently grabbed my face, careful not to hurt me and made me look at her. She scanned it for the second time before shaking her head. "Did someone here do this?"

             I shook my head no. "My mom..."

            She sighed and ran a hand down her face. "Why I ain't think of her before?" She looked me in the eyes. "We gotta tell the counselor."

         I quickly shook my head no. "No it's fine. E-Everything will be okay I swear."

          "Are you tryin' to get me to believe that or yourself?" I stayed silent as my lip quivered. "I don't want you to keep getting abused, October."

          "Please don't tell. I don't want to be thrown into the system. Please. I-I'm sorry."

"Why you apologizing?"

I started to feel overwhelmed. "I-I...I'm trying. I'm trying to be a good daughter but my mom doesn't see it. I just don't want to be given over to the government because then it'll show that I couldn't be good enough for her. I just want another chance to do better."

"October. Ain't nothing wrong with you. I'm sure you the best daughter any mother could dream of havin'. It's kids out here worrying they mom's sick but you...you probably one of the most obedient I've met. Even those quiet girls don't compare. You get your work done, you go home, and you do it all over again. It's not yo fault that ya mom hurts you. I bet my mom would trade you for me if she learned more bout you," she laughs softly. I watched as her smile slowly faded and she looked down. "The system ain't anything better than your mom. Jumping from home to home and not knowing who will do what or what'll happen. There's too many stories of minors being abused and used in...ways that disgust me and I don't want you in the predicament so I won't tell the counselor..."

         "T-Thank you. I'm sorry you have to deal with me."

          "Don't talk like that. C'mere." Lee engulfed me and I cried into her chest. For once I actually felt safe. Like everything will be okay.

          But I knew it wouldn't last long.

~

"I'm so sick of you! You do nothing but disturb my peace!" My mom pushed me into a door. "Why can't you stay out of the way huh?! What is it that you can't understand?!"

"I'll do better," I cry.

"And that's the thing! You can't. You find some way to fuck up my day every single time. It's like you're so useless you can't even make yourself scarce."

...

My eyes slowly opened and I just laid there still as I stared at the wall. The carpet caressing my cheek was the only comfort I had right now but it didn't do enough. I was cold.

           "October!"

           I forced myself to get up and followed my mothers voice. She was taking her shoes off at the door. "Yes ma'am?"

           "You started cleaning up?"

            "I was about to start on the bathroom," I lied.

            "Don't worry about that right now. Do the dishes. Pastor is coming over for dinner."

           "Yes ma'am."

As I begin on the dishes, someone rung the doorbell.

"Who the hell could that be?" My mom questioned as she came from going to her room. I heard the door open. "Oh—hey? What can I do for you?" I paused my actions and strained my ears to hear what was going on but I only heard my mom's voice. "Um...I don't know what you're talking about."

I frowned and dried my hands on the oven towel before inching to the hall. I peaked around the corner and I saw...Lee's mom? What is she doing here?

"Look, my daughter told me what you've been doing to October. The abuse, the living situation."

"I—"

"Don't have to say anything. I don't believe in throwing kids into the system. It does them no good. So I'm gonna offer you something...Either, you allow October to stay with me until you get yourself together. Or, I do call the cops and tell them what's going on and...October moves in with another family member. Not that you care where she is right? Since you don't care about her now. I'm just...what's the words...throwing it out there that maybe she could see and realize that not all of her family seemingly hates her. God forbid." She smiles sweetly. "So what will it be? Will October be coming to stay with me and my two daughters? Or will you be going to jail for multiple accounts of child neglect?"