Why did you tell me no one talks to you?” Annabelle and I were sitting on the bridge. “Because it’s true,” she stated.
“That’s not the story I hear,” I said, and watched her start swinging her legs.
She frowned and shook her head. “I’m gone for a few days, and now you know my story better than me?”
“Tell me then.” I was serious. “Why do you pretend no one is around? Some kids have been trying to be nice to you.”
“You’re one to talk. You don’t give anyone a chance!” Annabelle was getting angry. She stood up.
I jumped up too and faced her. “We’re not talking about me this time. I know I’m an ass. But you’re not!” I moved in close and whispered. “Tell me.”
She didn’t move. Her lips were almost touching mine. But fIre was in her eyes as she whispered. “Because I hate them. I hate them all!”
“Because you think they’re all Rani?” I held my position.
“No.” She stayed close in. But I felt a shift. She wanted to be close. She was suddenly afraid. Her voice was so low I had to focus on every word, “Because when I was raped no one cared. I was seven, and after that I couldn’t help peeing on myself. Especially when I was upset. But nobody cared. They made fun of me.”
My stomach turned. I felt anger build. How could anyone rape a seven-year-old? I wanted to be strong for Annabelle, so I let the anger simmer in my eyes. She saw it. She knew I was angry for her. I held her stare. Then I reached out and wiped the tears that started to fall from her eyes.
We both slowly sat down again. A cool November breeze pushed Annabelle up against me. I put my arm around her. She didn’t move away. Something had to change for Annabelle.
The next day we were sitting at lunch. I felt my heart race. I picked up my lunch tray and stood up. She looked at me. I smiled. “Come on!” She sat there a minute before she stood up and followed me.
It wasn’t hard to find Kelly’s table. Tod’s purple hair stood out.
“What are you doing?” Annabelle leaned in close. Her tray almost knocked my tray over.
“You’re going to meet some people,” I said.
I stopped and looked at her. “You were seven. I bet not one of these kids was there.” I pointed to Kelly’s table. Annabelle looked at them. Really looked at them. “Am I right?” I asked. She just nodded.
We walked up to the table, and I introduced Annabelle to her new friends. It was the strangest thing I’d ever done. It wasn’t me. And I sure wasn’t going to do it again. But I knew it wasn’t about me.
As I sat down I glanced across the lunchroom and saw Prince. For the first time he smiled at me.