FIFTEENTH CHAPTER:

---Merida’s POV---

Theresa stayed for a short while and we chatted. I think it was to distract me as Sarah helped Crispin. She ripped his jeans off which caused him to fall to his butt. It was really funny as she yelled at him, once again calling him numskull or blockhead, as he squeaked at her to stop and just give him the clothes as he ran to the bathroom.

“Are they always this crazy?” Theresa sighed as they continued to fight over the clothes only now through the bathroom door. Sarah was trying to keep the door open and Crispin was trying to get it closed and snatch one of the bag of pj’s at the same time.

“I really can’t say, I just met them yesterday,” I said without thinking. Her whiplash scared me until I realized my words. “They are friends with Miguel and were just in the area.” I blurted out. I really need to talk with them more and get my answers. I really don’t know how to explain them.

“Ok well on that note I have things to do to get you transferred to a new room.” She says as she gets up.

Wait, a new room. Sarah even said something along those lines.

“Why do I need to change rooms?” I asked her stopping her in her tracks.

“Meri, your dad yelled and caused a major disturbance. Just look at Crispin’s clothes, he didn’t do that to himself. Let alone the state of this room, it needs to be asset and fixed for the next patient.” Theresa reprimanded me as Sarah stared at me like I had lost my head. “You can’t stay in this room.”

“Yes, and I am sorry for that. But it would not have happened if Crispin had not interfered with Dad disciplining me. Everything would have ended if you just let him be.” I corrected. Besides, when I get home, I will be given a harsher punishment in not speaking up. “Please don’t interrupt him when he returns. Also, I need my clothes back so I can get ready. He will want me ready so he can be home for dinner tonight.”

At that I whipped the blankets off my legs and tried to swing them off the bed. Only I couldn’t lift them plus this was the first time I even got a good look at them.

“Wait Meri…” I think it was Sarah calling to me but I am so focused on what I am seeing.

Last night and this morning Sarah have been staying beside me every time the nurse came in to check on me or help me use the bedpan. Ericson and Crispin stepped out or went to get us something. Yes, I thought it was weird this morning but last night I woke up and had to go. I was really tired and had no strength to get up last night, so I understood the use of the bedpan.

Only as the nurse got me settled, Sarah made a point to hold the blanket and I could only see the top half of my thighs. I could see black straps and think my legs are in some kind of splints. But now I see them in full.

“Meri please look to me. I’ll explain…” Sarah is speaking but I just tone her out.

My legs do have cast but the splints as well. The lower part of my thighs are in cast as well as the lower part of my legs and heels of my feet. Then there is what looks like a splint wrapped around the cast that anchors my knees at 45 degrees. Yes, I felt pain at times but as long as I didn’t move, I was ok. But seeing this changed everything. Now I understood why the nurse looked weird at me this morning, when she asked if I wanted a pain pill. I had said no and that I was ok. Sarah and Ericson tried to talk me into taking the pill, but I was adamant about not needing it.

“Meri you can’t get up, let alone think of leaving. The doctor stills need to check how you are healing and talk to you about rehab.” I hear Theresa explain but it sounds like she is talking under water. I just barely register her getting close, as I am still staring at my legs.

“MERIDA COGSWELL!” The shout startled me, and I looked up to see Mama Lola at the foot of my bed. “You need to listen to us and don’t try to get up again.”

Looking around I find Theresa on my right and Sarah approaching from the left. They had their hands up so I could see them and moving slowly. I felt comfortable at the fact they were being sincere in not touching me or forcing me to calm down. They were waiting for me.

“Meri you are not staying in this room or will you be returning to your old house.” Mama Lola was being authoritarian but in a softer tone. That helped me and I slumped in the bed; my arms fell to my sides and my head fell forward where my chin rested on my chest. Sarah was at my side and wrapping her arms around me. Theresa picked up the blankets I had thrown off then placed the sheet over my knees and the other blankets in the chair. She didn’t fully cover my legs entirely, but it broke me out of my tremulous thoughts.

“But why?” I asked softly as I looked up to her. I didn’t lift my head, just looked up through my eyelashes as my head rolled onto Sarah’s shoulder.

“Miguel and Lucy had told me how clueless you are to your home life, but I didn’t think it was this bad.” Mama Lola took a breath before walking to the right and sitting on my bed at my feet. “Meri your parents are failing you. I can’t trust them to take care of you anymore. Let alone let you go back there in this state, they probably won’t let you do rehab or rest as you should.”

“It’s gotten better in this past year.” I felt Sarah tense beside me and I looked up to her. Her face was scrunched up like she smelt something awful, only to relax as she smiled at me before squeezing me against her.

“That’s the problem Meri.” Mama Lola continued, “It’s not better or ok. You are a victim of a serial killer, and your parents are refusing to cooperate with the Tribal Chief attorney or even your social worker.” I go to rebuff her, but she held her hand up. “When’s the last time you spoke with your social worker?”

“Um…” I start and stop to think, *When was the last time I spoke with Mr. Walker? Wasn’t I supposed to see him in the beginning of this month?* “I had an appointment on the 3^rd of this month I think.”

“Yes, that’s correct but your dad told Mr. Walker that you had after school activities that you forgot about. Only when I asked Miguel later that day, he told me you had to go straight home for you were grounded. Something about not finishing the wash or something like that.”

Yes, that’s right, “Oh yeah, I was supposed to wash all the sheets and blankets in the house that weekend, but it rained all weekend, and I was unable to get them hung up on the line. So, I had to come home all week long and wash each one by hand then wait till they dried.”

“Seriously Meri that is why you had to skip a meeting with the Tribal Chief attorney and social worker?” Mama Lola asks me in complete shock.

---Sarah’s POV---

I was completely floored by what I heard. That man not only lied about her whereabouts but obstructed her absence or even remember the meeting. That’s basically manipulating her and gaslighting.

What in world was Mrs. Cogswell thinking? Did she not even care about Meri? Then there is the twin sister Daniella, what did she think of Meri? These and many more questions were running through my mind as I watched Meri.

I had heard so many stories about her resilience and stubbornness from when I was little, but this was on another level. How could such a sweet girl not have understood that her life is more precious than some old blankets? Plus, chores can wait but life can’t.