As The Mill Grinds

END GAME Chapter 3

Nadine Bryan sixteen years old.
My last Will and Testament:

I hereby declare all my valuable assets to my best friend Cara Simmons who have been with me through thick and thin from preschool 'til now.

My little brother Toby Bryan can have all my Troll dolls, but give Princess Poppy to our baby sister Emily. I leave you all with many regrets, but I never regretted being your big sister.

To mummy and daddy; I didn't mean to break your heart with this. I know that I have been a difficult child to raise; sorry for my disobedience and constant lashing out. I wish I could turn back the hands on the 'big clock' of life and do it differently but, that will never happen seeing this my end. Baby Emily can have my room when she is old enough and don't give her any music CDs unless educational. I don't want her to  have the same ideas I had on life, she must be different and successful and also Toby. Let him take the lessons with Mr. Branford, 11+ exams around the corner and he must pass for a good school. I have $550.00 save up from last school term to buy my graduation outfit with, in the last draw on my chest-of-draws; take it and pay for Toby's lessons.

Tell Grandpa Eddy know that I love him and I am sorry. I will miss his breadfruit fritters and cornmeal cou cou with all the okras.
So, remember I love you all and have a great life.

Love Nadine Bryan

"Thank you for coming, Mr and Mrs. Bryan. Please have a seat." Nadine's parents, Linda and James Bryan sat uneasy and looked around the office. "My name is Ms. Stacey, and I am the school's psychologist or as you may know it as a Guidance Counsellor. "

"Why are we here Ms... um... Stacey?" Nadine's dad was the first to speak and was seemingly concerned, it was not a custom to be called at Nadine's school. Reports would come home or even a phone call, but never a summons to an office meeting, unless it was the Parent Teacher Conference. He wasn't the talkative kind and kept his opinion about things to himself, but he ever failed in disciplining his children. Their younger son Toby who is six years Nadine's junior, calls him Sarge whenever he lectures or punishes him, because of his military style.

"I am sure whatever it is, it's Nadine's fault." Linda Bryan said callously, "That little girl never listens though she said she did, and always trying to scheme her way out of trouble." She shifted in her seat.

"I've called you both here to discuss a very delicate but serious situation that has arrived concerning your daughter. She has something to say to you and I need you to both listen and allow her to finish. Remember this a school and we must conduct ourselves with temperance." Ms. Stacey looked at them both, sighed and signal Ms. Jules to bring in Nadine. "This is Ms. Jules the school's nurse, she will be sitting in on the meeting."

Ms. Jules held Nadine cupping her by the elbow. Nadine's morbid expression startled her mother. "Why you look like somebody dead? Fix yuh face. If yuh didn't do nothing foolish, we din' gine get call in the office fuh you." Linda Bryan was obviously the out spoken one. From Nadine's recollection her mother didn't care where they were, she knew how to 'hand it to them' if anyone got on her nerves.

Nadine sat down away from her mother and shook a little nervously. She rubbed the palm of her hands together and cast her eyes downward. Her heart throb so heart she thought she was going to die right there on the spot. If I die now at least I wouldn't have to face the truth and get killed by mummy here in the school office. Ms. Jules sat besides her keeping her at a distance from her mother, who at the moment seems like the hostile one.

"Ok Nadine, you know why your parents are here right?" Ms. Stacey was internally grieved for what this little girl was faced with. All opportunities to complete her studies and graduate, gone. Why did she make such a foolish decision and gotten pregnant. Now to have to tell these two who are obviously not much of an emotional support in the home the news. Why? "Can you tell your parents what the situation is, so they understand clearly why they are here?"