Cope

Chapter 9

      Nancy and Shina were sitting in a nurse's office separate from Dinah and Roxanne. Nancy's nose was plugged with tissue paper and covered with a large bandage. Shina was holding a tissue to her mouth as an ice pack on her head. Nancy's dad was coming to pick her up.

      "Shina, thank you for helping me," Nancy said nasally. "I'm sorry that you got messed up back there."

      "Don't worry about it," Shina replied. "You're worse off than me. Why did your father get involved with Dinah's dad?"

      "My father and I came from Ireland to start our family business," Nancy began. "Dinah's father owns a lab called GeneTech which my father took a loan from. However, we were robbed of much of our supplies and money. Dad owes $500 to the company and Dinah's dad is becoming impatient."

      "Oh, so you're Irish," Shina observed. "I'm part Japanese, so what my parents tell me. But, I'm adopted actually."

      "Are your parents good to you?" Nancy inquired.

      "For the most part. My mom's been really bitchy-" Nancy grimaced. "Sorry, irritable. Out of the blue. My dad is nice but distant and apathetic."

      "That's too bad," Nancy frowned. "I hope that things improve for you, Shina." Nancy paused. "I'm sorry about yesterday with me not forgiving you."

      "I forgive you. We both made mistakes," Shina responded. Nancy smiled in return.

      Then, the door opened and a tall, aging man came into the room. He looked deprived of sleep given his slightly bloodshot eyes.

      "Daddy!" Nancy said joyfully. She ran up and hugged him around the waist.

      "Hello, sweetheart," he responded stroking Nancy's hair. He gently turned Nancy's head up to face his. "Oh, you poor thing! Those rotten girls did this to you?"

      "Yeah... It hurts. Really bad," Nancy winced.

      "I ought to give those brats a piece of my mind," Nancy's father growled. "I hope that they're punished in full!" Her father looked up at Shina. "Is this a friend of yours, Nancy?"

      "Yes, this is Shina," Nancy answered. "She tried to protect me from Dinah and Roxanne." He sees Shina's wounds.

      "I'm sorry that they beat you, Shina," Nancy's father said. "But I appreciate you helping Nancy." Shina holds her hand out. Nancy's father shakes it.

      "No problem. I was happy to help," Shina smiled.

      "Daddy, can Shina come visit us sometime?" Nancy turned towards her father.

      "We'll see, sweetie. Once our financial situation gets better," Nancy's father replied. Shina felt a warm feeling well up inside her.

      "That'd be great," Shina grinned. "Will you be back to school tomorrow?"

      "I hope so," Nancy frowned. "We should stop by the office and talk about catching up on homework, daddy."

      "Right, we should get going," he said. "Goodbye, Shina."

      "Bye, Shina!" Nancy waved. The two leave the room. The nurse comes into the room.

      "Are you ready to go to class?" She asked warmly.

      "Yeah, may I ask what'll happen to Dinah and Roxanne?" Shina asked.

      "They'll receive detention for starting that scrap," the nurse replied. "Don't mind them." Shina stands up. "You can keep that ice pack."

      "Thank you," Shina responded as she leaves.