My Mother Grace
When Alec and I arrived home Mother was waiting for us at the door.
"Thank you, Jane," she said taking the bag of bread from me.
"You're welcome," I replied. We all stepped inside. Mother put the bag on the kitchen table and began putting the bread in our bread box.
"Jane? Didn't you get the eggs from Ms. Trovato?" Mother said in an accusing tone. I don't remember her asking for any eggs and my face burned.
"No. You didn't ask for any eggs."
"I certainly did! I need those eggs for dinner tonight and it's too late to go and get them now," Mother was practically shouting. I went from embarrassed to angry very quickly. I knew that she hadn't asked me for eggs. This was her fault and she was blaming it all on me.
"You never said anything about eggs!" I shouted back at her, feeling suddenly powerless at my small voice and short stature.
"Jane!" Mother warned coming towards me, "You don't shout at your mother." I tried to scare her. I looked directly into her eyes and screamed back,
"Yes I DO!" I wanted her to feel pain, I was so angry at her. My mother's hand that was about to slap me flew to her temple and she yelped, fear brimming over in her eyes. I continued to stare her down.
She refused to look me in the eyes.
That was when Father came down. "What happened," his voice full of concern. He saw the look that Mother held in her face and went to comfort her. She whispered in his ear. Her voice was frantic, and they went up to their bedroom to whisper more.
When they were gone Alec murmured to me, "What did you do, Jane?"
"I think I hurt her," I muttered back, my head down, my eyes staring at the floor. I hadn't even touched her, but it was as though when I concentrated all of my anger at her it had actually caused her pain, mental pain, her hand had touched her head. I was satisfied with myself, but also felt uneasy. Would they punish me? But then I remembered, Mother and Father never punished us. They were too frightened.
Father walked back into the room, Mother close behind him.
Words failed him, he stuttered, and then said in a clear and slow voice. "Jane, Alec. Could you two go to your rooms please? And not come out until it's time for supper?"
"Yes Father," we replied obediently.
I sat on my bed wondering what had just happened. It seemed as though it pained Mother to look at me. Not because I'm an ugly child, no, that is certainly not the case for either Alec or me. I just couldn't figure it out.
"How did you hurt her?" Alec demanded, walking into my room, quickly shutting the door behind him.
"I don't exactly know," I went on to describe the entire incident to him, how I felt, and the exact way I looked into her eyes. Alec nodded in a businesslike manner.
"I'm wondering if I can do this, too. We are twins after all."
"Maybe," I replied. "But I don't know if I even want to do it again," I said, unsurely.
Alec studied my face for a while.
"Alec, Jane, time for dinner," Father's voice called up the stairs. We looked at each other for a brief moment and then walked downstairs where Mother and Father were already sitting at the dinner table.
Nobody talked. We sat and ate our egg-less dinner in silence. Until Father cleared his throat.
"Children, we think that in light of today's incident," he didn't look me in the eyes, "it would be a good idea to speak with Brother Ronteo."
"Why?" Alec asked suddenly in a louder than usual voice. Mother jumped.
"Well maybe he can help us get rid of the demon that we think might be inside Jane, and you too Alec, being twins there may be demons in you too. We think he can help."
"I don't think he can," Alec said plainly. Father sighed. There was no more talking. I rinsed my dishes and went back into my room.
I didn't know it yet, but that day was the last day I would sleep in this bed,
the last day I would live in this house,
and the last day Mother would ever look me in the eyes.
Thank you for my reviews so far. Still not many hits, but thankfully I've gotten more reviews per hits than usual. Any suggestions? Questions? Compliments? Typos? Review please. Chapter 3 should be up in maybe 2 days.
