Mute Mallorie

Chapter Six

Chapter Six

My phone rang constantly. Clark Henrie.

I couldn't get myself to pick up the phone.

It had been a week since I told Clark that I had loved him. That was a first for us. He obviously didn't love me back considering he just walked away from me.

I sat on my bed in my pajamas, with my knees to my chest. I sat there numb, I didn't want to cry. Now that I have vocal cords, I made noise when I cried.

The phone rang again so I laid down on my side and curled in a ball.

If Clark had left, why was he trying so hard to get my attention? You'd think that he'd enjoy this silence I had thrown his way. He was used to the silence anyway. I had only spoken for a few minutes with Clark and it was enough to make him leave.

My mom walked into my room, "Honey, what's wrong? Do you feel alright?"

I signed, 'Tired.'

"Honey, why are you signing? Is there something wrong with your voice?"

"I'm fine. I just wanna be alone."

My phone rang again.

"Aren't you gonna get that?"

"No. Its just Clark."

"Why don't you do something with him, sweetie?"

"Because we broke up, mom."

She sat on my bed, "Oh my. When did this happen?"

"About a week ago."

"Honey, why didn't you tell us?"

"I don't know. I just didn't feel like talking to anyone."

"Why'd you break up?"

"I lied too much, mom. I hid all the surgeries from him, like a horrible girlfriend. I deserved this."

"Honey, that's not a good enough reason. He's trying to get a hold of you, why don't you answer?"

"I told him that I loved him and he just walked away without looking at me. Its like he hadn't even heard me."

Mom was silent for a moment.

"So I'm just doing nothing."

"Do you want something to eat, sweetie?"

"No. I'm fine."

"Alright. I'll come back later," she pat my leg and left the room.

*******

Wendy walked into my room, "Where have you been? I haven't seen you in weeks!"

I stared at her.

"You were with Eli again, weren't you?"

'Why does it matter who I was with?' I signed.

"I thought since Clark was out of town, you'd hang with me."

'I've been in the hospital, Wendy.'

"What, visiting your bestie while she dies of kidney failure?"

"Take it back," I said, aggressively.

"Mallorie?" She sounded scared, "You're talking."

"Great observation." I stood up from my bed and ripped my shirt off, leaving me in a tank top. I lifted part of my shirt, "See that?"

"What'd you do?"

"Gave Eli a kidney." I pointed to my neck which displayed a small scar, "I have perfect vocal cords. I can speak. This is what I would have sounded like if I had a voice this whole time."