One Night Only

Friday

Finally Friday, the day was so much lighter than the rest of her week. She got up early with the pamphlet in her hands. Her eyes reflected at the bright bathroom light as she brushed her hair, something her overwhelmed mind failed to do for a week now. She turned to grab her toothbrush but was astonished by the sight of her sister next to her.

''Burnice!''

''Burdine, we have been trying to call her for two weeks now!''

''Mother of pink, you scared me''

''YOU scared US"

''Don't be ridiculous, since when you try to call me''

''Again, for a week now. You were on the news thursday! Harassing Byron Powell''

There was an uncomfortable silence in the room. 'Harassing' Byron Powell. Big wording for trying to maintain a conversation. Burnice's soft but firm hands grabbed her, pulling her in the living room where a few people were there: her niece Prudence, Burnice's husband and their mother.

''I don't know who you're trying to convince with those people''

''THOSE are your family, and you better treat us with respect and not go after some British guy who pranked you on TV. Stephen lost his job because of you''

''No he did not''

''Yes he did! He works for the same company. And remember when you sent Prudence as an undercover spy for Bratz? Yeah, really mature of you. You're such a child. You can't even bother to call us. Your doctor called me and you were suppose to see a therapist yesterday''

''Yes, I know''

''You're acting like a child! Do we have to send you back to an hospital for you to understand?''

Burdine stayed in her corner trying not to cry. Her arms were crossed as she was biting her lower lip. They were all staring at her with a worried eye while her sister verbally abused her. That always happens. She is seen as the bad guy because she's lesser than her.

''Burdine, I'm talking to you!''

''Yes, I hear you. I have something to go to tonight, can you stop?''

''No, when I stop you continue. Stop being so impulsive for once. You're going to live at my place until you get better. Things are just not the same as before. You always need help and look, your rent is late again''

''I was going to pay it''

''Pack your things, Monday I'm picking you up and I'll come back for the rest''

''You can't evict me from my apartment''

''As your caretaker yes, I can''

Burdine got up and ran into her room, slammed the door and locked it. Her body was stiff. She curled into a ball in the corner as if there was a killer on the loose. She would know, she dated one. Her sister was knocking hard on the door. So loud the neighbors were alarmed and went to help. Even the police were on it now calling it a case of severe emergency since she was close to her medicine. They knocked over her door to get her out of there.

Everything went black.

As ironic as it sounds, this was peaceful. She knew the moment the light would reflect on her eyes she would face the irritable lights from the ambulance while this unspeakable sound would loop, those sirens.

Back in 2006, when she did America Rocks against Bratz Magazine, the crowds were one of her biggest fears. Memories from her high school years kept resurfacing her mind like plastic on a beach, undesirable. It was her chance to redeem her reputation and finally not ridicule herself. Somehow, she achieved that. Somehow, it was worse. There was this moment, short fractions of time, she felt like she really was doing something. It was in their shared truck on the first night on the road. She was chatting with Kirstee while Kaycee was snoring obnoxiously.