The Invalid

Chapter 1

          

I throw on my black petticoat and run back to my room. It is freezing out, the digital thermometer on my phone reads -24. I enter my room and grab my big furry white eared hat and secure it on my head. I run back out of my room, and in a swift movement grab my backpack and shoulder it. "Love you, Dad! I gotta go!" I holler back into the house to my father.

            "Joan, Wait!" I hear him shout from the kitchen. I hear his heavy footsteps on the hard wood flooring. His head soon appears from around the corner and he shoves his graying hair out of his eyes. With a quick step he heads over to me. "I love you." Handing me a piece of toast, he smiles and moves the hair out of my hetero-chromatic eyes. "Have a good day at school and keep warm." He kisses my forehead then shoos me out the door and into the cold.

            As soon as I cross the threshold I am greeted by the harsh winter like February. I walk a few paces before stumbling on the black ice. School should be closed. My mind hisses. I take of the peanut butter covered toast. A single degree. One degree. I snide, taking another bite. A cold blast of wind blows past my legs, in the process freezing them. I finish my toast, shove my hand in my pocket, and look up to the sky, the only good part of the extra darkness. The star gazing. I swallow hard, ridding myself of the peanut butter stuck in my throat. Another chilling gust rushes past me, pushing some fur tufts into my eyes. With a quick glove-less hand I push it out of my face, then shove my hand back into the warmth and security of my coat pocket.

            I stare awestruck at the blackened sky blanketed with the clearest stars. My breath creates gentle clouds. This is the most beautiful part of my day- err... well, night. I look back down and shove my frozen nose into my scarf. I shiver as another icy blast whips past me. I glance up from my warm coat. Where is the bus? It should be here by now... I might as well go inside... I pull my iPhone out of my pocket as well as my headphones. I put the headset on, unlock my phone, and open the music app.

            The first song that plays is a song my mother used to sing to me when I was a baby. Your Heart Will Lead You Home, a song by Kenny Loggins an artist who is centuries old. My heart swells with emotions. Fighting tears, a memory comes to mind. It's of when I was playing little league. I am consumed by a swirling vortex of my own memories.

            "Joan, how'd the game go, baby?" Mommy calls from in the kitchen. Slamming the heavy wooden door, I shake off my tiny, muddy baseball cleats. Momma comes into the mudroom and I run to her, defeated and sobbing. Her flaming red hair whips around her like fire as she swoops down to hold me in a loving embrace.

            "Mommy, I... I lost the game! Everyone hates me!" I sob and choke. "Jude and Luce started making fun of me be... because I got ascared of the ball.... a-and they called me a stupid scaredy-cat," I sputter and stutter and stammer trying to tell momma that I missed the game saving ball letting down the entire team. She brushes my shaggy brown hair out of my face. I look her in her eyes. Her irises shine blue, clear and vivid, like a pool, unlike mine, the color of my mud covered cleats.

            "Shh, Joan, it's okay... sh sh sh," Mommy says wiping my eyes, though my face is still wet and hot. "There'll be next time." She cradles me in her warm and loving arms. "You'll catch that ball next time, hun."

            I nod, "Maybe daddy can... teach me not to be afraid..." I think aloud. I think about daddy. He spends most time at work. But when he is home he's a lot of fun. He braids my hair when mamas at work.

            "Do you want to go get some ice cream?" She asks, her voice flowing like silk. She reaches out and with a gentle touch rubs my cheek with her thumb. With a sheepish grin I nod. Mommy grabs her car keys, jingles them, and we skip out to the car.