Sorry, Bri, but—
Brianna shut off her cell phone and blinked tears out of her eyes. She didn't have to read the rest of the text message. It was always the same. At first, guys would do all the right things—take her to the movies, hold her hand, ask about her band. As stupid as it was, Brianna would allow herself to enjoy the moment, to believe it might be real.
It wouldn't last long. Within a week, Brianna would start to pick up on clues. Like the vague, glassy look in their eyes when Mandy and her entourage paraded past in the hallway. By the time every guy she had ever dated began to ask, "Where does Mandy hang out?" and "What does Mandy like to do?" the end was imminent. Yesterday, she’d figured it was over with Ryan when she'd heard herself respond, "I don't know."
Even though she'd expected it, the sting of dismissal never seemed to lessen. And Brianna knew the reason she'd been tossed out like yesterday's trash: Mandy. Pretty, perfect, talented Mandy.
At least it was Friday. Brianna pushed aside the skull-print curtains covering her large picture window. A kept front yard and flower garden preceded a thicket of woods. Tendrils of sunlight peeked through millions of tiny crevices between leaves and trees, as if glitter had been dusted over the dense forest. The racket of a revving lawn mower drowned out the songs of morning birds as the northern New Jersey backdrop filled with pink and yellow light.
Glass shattered, followed by a heavy thump. Oh, no. Mom. Brianna raced down the stairs.
Sabrina McKinney lay sprawled on the kitchen floor, arms overhead, legs bent in an odd position. Shards of glass and pieces of blue ceramic were scattered throughout the room. Among the mess, a half-eaten English muffin soaked in a pool of orange juice.
Brianna crouched beside her mother, eyeing the broken pieces. The shredded black denim across Brianna's knees and thighs provided little protection. "Mom, are you okay?"
Sabrina turned her head, eyes half shut. Blood escaped from a slash across her forehead and dripped down her small nose. Seeing the wound, Brianna stood and raced to the counter, her palms slick with cold sweat as she pulled a half-dozen paper towels off the roll.
Back at her mother's side, Brianna pressed the sheets against the wound. Veins were visible beneath her mother's pale, translucent skin. Gray bags hung below her bloodshot eyes.
"I'm fine." Sabrina took hold of the wad against her forehead. Within moments, a deep red circle stained through the white. As Sabrina began to rise, Brianna pressed one of her hands against her mother's back, the other on her collarbone. Brianna's hands never broke contact with her mother's body as she slid them beneath her mother's armpits.
"I got you, Mom." With Brianna's assistance, Sabrina struggled to her feet. Brianna's arm was steady around her mother's waist, but inside she trembled and her heart throbbed in her chest. How many times would these incidents happen? Which time would be the last?
Her mother's legs shook as they shuffled forward. Pieces of glassware crunched beneath her white sneakers. "I'm okay, Bri." Sabrina brushed her daughter's hands away from her middle. Brianna stayed as close as she could, arms outstretched, and watched her mother's movements like a hawk.
"What's going on here?" Andrew McKinney stood beneath the kitchen archway. He glared at his wife, his fists clenched by his sides. Short blades of grass and weeds clung to his hair and clothing. "What did you do, Sabrina? What is wrong with you?"
"Dad, chill." Brianna felt her face flush with anger. "I'm sure she only did what she thought was right."
"I don't care anymore! What about what's right for her family?"
"Dad, stop it! She's bleeding!" The paper towels were saturated. Blood streamed down her mother's chin, over her neck and stained her blue scrubs. Shaking, Brianna tore another clump from the roll.
"Mom? Not again!" Her sister appeared in the kitchen, clothed in pink lacy pajamas. She stepped barefoot over the broken glass.
"Do you need these, Mandy?" Brianna held out the soft paper. Mandy brushed greasy blonde strands off of her face, revealing a crop of acne across her forehead. Dark circles surrounded her lusterless eyes.
"No. It's too early for this crap." Mandy placed her hand on Sabrina's forehead. Within moments, the bleeding ceased. Then, Mandy swept her mother into her arms like a child and carried her upstairs, her sister and father in tow.
Sabrina fell asleep the instant Mandy placed her in bed. Brianna slid two pillows beneath her head and opened the window a crack, just the way her mother liked. The three remaining members of the McKinney family returned downstairs. Brianna had just removed the broom from the closet when a honk sounded out front.
"Oh, no! I lost track of time. Giselle is here to pick me up!" Mandy spun around and jetted up the stairs.
"Bri, why don't you ride with Giselle?" Her father asked as he bent to retrieve his wife's breakfast from the floor.
"Nah, I'd rather take the bus." Brianna stared as each broken piece slid down the dustpan and into the trash. "Speaking of which, I've gotta go. Bye, Dad." She placed the broom and dustpan in the closet and slung her leopard print backpack over her shoulder. Brianna ran down the winding driveway just in time to catch the school bus.