Muted

Chapter 2

I dragged my small suitcases into the house as well as Carlie’s, Casey’s and my mother’s.  Although, I wasn’t completely without help. Carlie helped me by dragging her doll into the house and Casey rolled himself and his legos up the ramp. I cursed my mother for being lazy and not ever helping me. It's not like we had a lot of stuff, but it was a lot to do by myself. Including all the medical equipment needed for breathing and walking and eating and sleeping, it took me a little over an hour.  After I took all of our luggage up into the house I checked my phone. It was four thirty-six. The moving truck said that they will meet us here at five. I walked outside and sat down on the railing. A few teenagers passed me, probably on a walk. One of the girls that popped out at me was wearing a red and white striped sweater and a pair of blue jeans. She was very pretty, her hair was blonde and long. It had to go down to at least the middle of her back. She was also very skinny, almost anorexic thin. There was a boy with blonde hair. He was wearing an olive sweatshirt, khaki jacket and a pair of blue jeans. They approached me and I began to panic. ‘They’re just people, they can’t hurt you.’ My thoughts rang out.  “Hey, did you just move here?” The blonde haired boy asked. I nodded. ‘Just relax, Sadie, they seem nice enough.’ “I’m Daniel. This is Riley,” he referred to the girl in the red and white sweater. He pointed to a guy with stereotypical long, black hair with a dark red streak in it. Great, another stereotypical “badboy.” He was wearing a red sweatshirt and black jeans. “That’s Monroe. His sister is Riley.” I stared in disbelief. ‘Siblings? Sure, in your dreams.’ I echoed in my head. Riley cleared her throat. “My half-brother is Monroe.” She clarified. ‘See Sadie, that makes much more sense.’ Another girl spoke up. “I’m Elaine, but call me Laine.” Laine had a light yellow sweater and a pair of blue jeans on. Her hair was a pretty strawberry blonde. She seemed passive, but also energetic. I noticed a red mark on her neck that she immediately covered up. Our eyes met and hers seemed to plead ‘don’t spill my secret.’ “I live in Danny’s guest house.” She said and gave me a forced smile. I returned it back.

“I’m his cousin. What’s your name?” Laine asked. ‘No, don’t make me talk. Please, please, please.’ I shook my head. I closed my eyes tightly so that I couldn’t see any light. “Hey, are you okay?” A male voice asked. ‘Eventually, they’ll go away. Just stand still.’ Someone shook my shoulders. “What did you guys do to her?” Said an unknown female voice. “There are movers here. Hello?” Someone’s fingers pried my eyes open. “I’m not sure she’s okay, or if she talks, guys.” I opened my eyes and adjusted to the bright light. I saw another blonde haired girl with a long sleeved purple t-shirt and yoga pants. She looked concerned. I moved back towards the wall. “What’s your name?”  I made a fist with my hand and held it up. Sign language, I can at least spell my name. “S?” Monroe asked. I nodded. I moved my thumb next to my index finger. “A, guys, she’s mute. She’s signing to us.” Monroe stated. I put all of my fingers up and rested my thumb across my palm. “D.” Then I put all my fingers down except for my pinkie finger. “I.” I half bent my fingers and rested my thumb across my palm. “E. S-A-D-I-E, Sadie?” I nodded. “Sadie, this is Hannah.” Monroe said about the other blonde girl. ‘They, don’t want to hurt you. They must pity you. You’re just their charity.’ I turned away. I couldn’t stand this social presence. I held up a fist. “No?” Monroe asked. “Monroe, how do you know sign language?” Hannah asked. “I took it at the community college. Do you mean to say that you’re not okay?” I nodded my head and collapsed in a heap on my new porch. “I think you broke her.” A male voice said. ‘Maybe they’ll go away.’ I felt hands lift me up and place me in a chair. “Do you need anything?” Laine questioned.  I shook my head. ‘Yes, for the pain to go away.’

“Ma’am, we need to unload this truck.” A mover said. “We’ll get it!” Riley responded. “I mean, we can help.” I didn’t even get a chance to respond. They just began to help unpack. ‘Again, charity case.’ When they had finished taking boxes and chairs in, Monroe kneeled down next to me. “Sadie, I don’t know you, but I can tell something is up. Trust me, I know when someone’s hiding something. I had to learn, but it was almost too late when I finally discovered that I was right, so I continued to go with my gut.” He grabbed my hand. “That’s how we all became friends. I confronted them in school when they didn’t seem like themselves.”

I felt an instant bond, but I pushed the feeling away. He looks too much like him. I pulled my hand out of his. I stood up and tried to walk away. “Sadie, what grade are you in?” I made a flat, facing down hand and tapped my thumb against the palm twice. “Senior, same here. All of us are seniors as well. Stop by next door, I live there. I’m sure we can give you a ride tomorrow to school.” He gave me a hug, I pulled away immediately. “We’re going for pizza, why don’t you come along?” I pointed to myself. ‘See, you’re a charity case. They feel bad for you.’ I bent my index finger forward and then moved my thumb to my chin. “Okay, we’ll wait here.’

I cautiously entered the house. My mom was sitting on a couch. “Be home by ten.” She said and sipped the beer in her hand. I went outside and nodded. ‘You wanted her to say no, didn’t you? You wanted to stay home and get yelled at.’ “Awesome, it’s right down the street.” Riley said and flutter kicked down the stairs. “She’s a ballerina.” Laine said and adjusted her hair to cover the mark.

After walking for about ten minutes, we reached a small restaurant with tables outside. “Mr. Ferendio!” Hannah exclaimed quite loudly. “Ah, Hannah, will you and your friends have the usual?” “Yeah, Sadie, what do you want?” Hannah asked.“I’m not giving you anything to eat, I like my women skinny, then I can feel their bodies wasting away underneath me.” I put my hand in an ‘O’ next to my chin and flung it out. “Nothing? Sadie, they have the best personal pizza in town.” Monroe said. “I know you like pizza, but it’s bad for you and as I said, I love skinny women.” I turned to the trash can closest to me and puked my guts. ‘Well, there you go. Say goodbye to your friends.’ “I’ll get your friend a ginger ale.” Mr. Fabric something said.

We sat at a table outside. I was wearing Dan’s jacket. “God, Sadie, we had no idea you weren’t feeling well.” Laine said. I shrugged. “I thought you were just being stubborn.” Monroe said and I smiled. It was the first time I’ve smiled in a while. They started asking questions about me while Monroe interpreted. “Do you have your license?” I shook my head no, which was a lie. I do have my license, but I hate spending time in a car.

I see the seats of the car. My hands are behind my back. I have tears running down my face. I can’t breathe. When I breathe all I smell is him: his body spray, his rancid runners shoes and the faint mint on his breath. No, this is not happening. I scream but no one hears me. I feel my stomach lurch and run to the trash can again.

        We left sometime after seven and began to walk back. Eventually, Monroe tried to carry me home because he was afraid that I would collapse or something. He almost dropped me twice until Daniel took me. “Will you be alright for school tomorrow?” Monroe asked with a worried expression on his face. I nodded. There’s no point in delaying the inevitable. Eventually, I’ll have to go to school, so why not tomorrow. “Good, just walk over to our house at about seven.” Riley said. “We’re right next door.” Dan set me on the front porch and they left while waving goodbye.