MONA-LISA

PART FIVE

    An infant stood beside me shivering in anxiety. She was so thin, her bones drew sausage-size lines all over her narrow skin. I snatched my arm away unable to hold back the influx of repulsion in me.
    Her narrow eyes were expressionless almost as though she was just staring and not seeing. Rags clothed  small parts of her and veins covered the rest. I withdrew myself tighter.
    "Are you okay?"Nadim asked from the door. She had just come in. She seemed apprehensive. "Why are you awake?"
    "I...I...I....I don't know....I just woke up", I stuttered. "Who's child is this?" I managed to turn toward the direction the child had stood but....she was gone.
    "There is no child in this house, Naomi", She replied insidiously. A twinkle added a sort of bitterness to the subtlety in her eyes.
    I smiled thoughtfully. They didn't know I had Adrienne. I had her hidden in my wardrobe....
    "Get up", She ordered hoarsely. "We need to get you cleaned and tucked in bed".
    I followed her with a slow precision, placing one foot hesitantly after the other. She gave me a warm bath and brought me food. I ate just half of it and kept the other half by the wardrobe and by the time I awoke for my next medication....the plate was gone.
    Adrienne was standing by the window. I walked over gingerly to join her. She didn't like being around people....it was just me. My lovely second child and I.
     "Could you leave the window open tonight?"Adrienne asked sweetly. I was behind her and I couldnt see her face.
    I stopped short."Sure, my dear but why?"
    "My sister needs to come in," she said in a whisper.
    "What?" My eyes danced in their sockets. "Mona-lisa?"
    She nodded. I grasped her tightly. "Shall I tell your father?" My Mona-lisa was coming that night. My husband had to be informed. It would pull him out of his bitterness.
     Terror entered her little eyes. "If you tell him, you will never see me again".
    I turned her around briskly and grasped her in a firm hug as if to hold her from escaping . "He has changed sweety", I whispered into her ears. "He has changed".
    Nadim came in later with those white pills in a plate on a tray. She always served them like they were special. They were just melting in my mouth when a small palm grasped my arm.
    I turned around a little startled.
    "Won't you wake up, mom?" It was Adrienne.
     "I am awake, sweety",I replied calmly."We would see your sister together".
     "But you don't let her in. You never let her in".
     I didn't understand what she meant but I lay stilt defeated by her blunt accusation and the sickening effect of the drugs.
    I was slipping away to unconsciousness when Adrienne's amicable voice floated the room "Won't you wake up, mom?" The voice was in my head.....in my dream....on the roof...around me....
     My entire body retired into a slightly comfortable state of dormancy.....I carried the voice in my heart long after she stopped.