17
At the hospital.
With Sarah crying, Dad said, “I know you
don’t like Brittany. But you can’t hurt her.”
“Allergies can kill!”
“I didn’t mean to hurt her…”
Sarah cried.
“What did my daughter do to deserve this?”
Dad yelled.
“Apologize to your aunt!”
<
I stood tall.
“I did nothing wrong!”
Kevin grabbed my shoulders.
I hadn’t eaten, and I almost fell.
Kevin paused, but he didn’t let go.
Sarah slapped me.
It hurt.
I tried to yell, but Kevin closed his eyes.
When Sarah stopped, he let go.
He didn’t look at me.
<
“Ashley, you deserve it.
“You kneeled to Mom, you know you’re
wrong.
“Mom’s mad, when she calms down, you
can…”
Suddenly, I couldn’t hear him.
My mind went blank.
Something ran down my face.
I wiped it.
Blood.
Kevin picked me up.
く
I couldn’t hear.
I asked, “What are you saying?”
Kevin paused, and started again.
He yelled for Dad.
“Ashley can’t hear!”
Dad ran over.
“Ashley?”
“Ashley?!”
He was saying my name.
Leouldn’t bear
く
I couldn’t hear.
“What are you saying?”
They froze.
