I Am Cameron

Row Your Boat

Today's atmosphere flipped as soon as Trinity walked through the front door. Well, actually she ran through and slammed the door behind her. I was heading outside for a walk when the front door sprang open. I was definitely surprised, but not as surprised when I noticed the glistening trail etching down her face.

Tears.

Why is she crying?

Before anyone had a chance to ask what happened, she bolted up the stairs like a full fledged olympian. We hear a door slam followed by a few screams of rage. Everyone exchanges glances before slowly treading upstairs. We all stop at her door in a semi-circle each wanting to knock, but none of us having the courage.

What could have happened?

There was no point in assuming the infinite number of possibilities when only one could be right. The only way to know was to ask her, so I knocked. All eyes were on me as the crying on the other side of the door dimmed.

"Trinity", I ask. The only response we get is a bit of shuffling before a deep sigh. We heard an indistinct 'yes' in the background. After making sure everyone else heard it too, I continue.

"Is there anything you need", I ask. Oliver looks at me confused.

"Just ask her if she's alright", he whispers to me.

"If she says yes, will you believe her", I whisper back. "She's obviously not alright".

Oliver was about to continue when he was interrupted by shuffling and the door cracking open a bit. You could only see an inch of Trinity at the most, but she was only looking at Lily. Oliver and I were invisible.

"Lily", Trinity says pleadingly. Lily nodded immediately, obviously understanding what Trinity wants. Oliver seemed to understand too since he gave a defeated expression before walking away. I didn't understand. How could I? Nothing was said. All I knew was that Lily walked into Trinity's room and closed the door behind her. Immediately after, you could hear more crying and Lily consoling her. It sort of clicked that she wouldn't ask Oliver or me to comfort her.

We're boys.

The fact must have hurt Oliver more. He's known her for two years, but she hasn't let her guard down around him. What would you think after all this time?

I was still confused. I figure I will always be confused until someone explains to me what's going on. Defeated, I slide down on the wall and exhale deeply. I end up closing my eyes and thinking. I thought I was pretty useless in this situation. What do you do when you want to help, but can't?

If I knew the answer to that question, I wouldn't have to ask it.

An unknowing hour passes before Trinity's door opens. Lily walks out and practically jumps when she sees me. Even her face was tear stained.

"Were you waiting here the entire time", she asks, her hand over her heart. I stand up quickly, stuttering out a response.

"Uh, yeah.. I wanted to make sure she was okay", I say. I felt kind of embarrassed saying it, because I know Trinity can hear me through the open door. "I didn't want to just continue on like nothing happened".

Lily beams at me, a better contrast than the tears on her face, before glancing back into the room. Her smile lessens as she closes the door. She takes my hand and leads me down the hall.

"Where are we going", I ask.

"Trinity said I could tell you what happened, so we're going to get Olly", she says sullenly. I could understand the depth of sorrow in her voice, but I didn't know who or what it was directed towards. All I knew was that a ten year old girl should not come close to the level of sorrow Lily's voice portrayed.