Family

Can't Believe It

I smile and leave again to monitor the kids downstairs.

Christina's POV

When I walk into the kitchen I see Amy talking excitedly.

Huh. She must have been awake for over 30 minutes considering that she is able to talk now.

I grab a plate for Kath and I and serve us both some food. I set Kath's plate down next to mine and I sit down. Lisa is devouring her food as she listens to Amy speak about one of her weird dreams. I hear a loud thud behind me and my head snaps to it.

Katherine is holding onto the fridge door as one of the magnets fall off and smacks the floor with a thud.

"Ugh. who missed the garbage can. I can't believe that this happened to me out of all of you."

I give her a questioning look.

"There was a banana peel that I slipped on"

I look at Amy accusingly and she shrinks from my gaze.

"Sorry mom, I was excited to play outside."

"It's fine. Just, don't do it again. Ok?"

"Ok. I promise that I won't do it again."

Kath walks to the table and starts eating her food.

"Anyway, we were all in a band!!! We had so many subscribers on youtube. Can you believe it?"

Amy sounds so excited so I nod.

Sounds nice but, it also sounds stressful

Amy giggles loudly.

"Yeah, it does sound stressful."

I bang my silverware on my glass to get the rest of the girl's attention.

Translate this to Dani as well. Now, you girls have to finish your homeschooling, Dani has to work on sign language as well. We have our first therapist sessions today. All of us. We leave at 12 the appointment is at 12:30. Then after we are all done, we will go to the animal shelter if you are all good. Got it?

Lisa whispers to Dani the translation as everyone else nods. Dani groans loudly catching my attention.

"Why do I have to learn ASL? Can't mommy just talk for once? I don't want to learn it. Why can't mommy talk anyway? It's not like she doesn't have a throuat. She should talk. Can you talk mommy?"

I bite my lip. I wish I could talk but, I-I just can't. The thought of talking it just- I- I- I can't I quickly get up and run upstairs. Anxiety rushing through my body. I faintly hear Katherine yell my name but I can't think.

Why can't I talk?

Why can't I be normal?

Why did Kath and I have to go through that?

Why?

I run into the master bathroom and shut the door quickly. I lock it and crumple to the floor. Only now I am noticing the tears pouring down my face. My breathing is erratic and I am wheezing.

"I-I-I"

I attempt to s[eak. To speak for my family but, I can't. I- I just can't.

Why can't I speak like everyone else?

What's wrong with me?

I hear some loud banging on the door.

"Chrissy, it's me. Please open the door."

Oh god. Katherine is going to be so disappointed. I need to speak. If I don't we can't be together. She will be angry. She will leave me.

I hear the lock jiggling and then the door opening. I curl up into even more of a ball in the corner of the room. I am shaking with fear.

"Oh, Chrissy. It's okay. Dan didn't mean it. She is only 12. I promise."

I shake my head.

No. I can't talk. Something is wrong with me.

I wasn't raped like Kath. I have nothing to be scared of. Why can't I speak?

I should be a leader. Not a scardey cat.

People should be able to understand me without having to learn another language.

"Chrissy, it's  Ok. I promise. No one is mad at you for not being able to speak. No one is mad."

Katherine grabs my hand and attempts to get me to calm down. It doesn't work.

My breathing slowly gets worse and soon everything goes black.

Katherine's POV

Christina blacks out and I attempt to stay calm. I quickly lift her up and put her on the bed. She is way to light, I'll have to talk to her about it later. I quickly grab my phone from the nightstand and call an ambulance while holding Christina's hand tightly.

I can't believe that our 12 year old caused Christina to pass out.

I'm not mad though. I am just worried about Christina.

There is a slight reference in this chapter. IDK if anyone will notice it though...