Raine (Gods of the Fifth Floor #2) - M.V. Ellis Page 0,111
like Carly’s did when she played jump-rope.
“Not just yet. Is that good?” She nodded toward the candy bar.
What kind of a question was that? “Hmm…hmm...” Of course it was good, it was candy. Not only that, but Mars Bars were my ultimate bestest favorite kind of candy.
“I love candy too, especially Mars Bars. When did you last eat?”
“Sunday.” I clamped my hands over my mouth. I hadn’t meant to say that, but she’d distracted me while we were talking about candy.
“What day is it today?” Another dumb question.
“Wednesday.” I spoke to the carpet.
“And you haven’t eaten anything since Sunday? You’re sure?” I nodded, not wanting to say any more, in case I let out more secrets on accident.
“Can you look at me please, Nathanial.” I hated the way she called me that. Nobody called me that except teachers. I looked up anyway. “I know it may seem odd for me to ask you these things, but I’m going to need you to answer me anyway, okay?”
“When you last ate, on Sunday, did your mom fix you a meal? Dinner, breakfast, a snack?”
I thought about the “meal” I’d had. The last of stale Graham crackers and a little grape jelly. I’d done my best to make what I had last, but on Sunday, as I ate those last pieces, I had no idea when or how I was going to get more food.
I’d come to school every day since then with stomach pains from hunger, and today at lunchtime, just like the two days before, I’d hidden in the bathroom so that I didn’t have to watch the other kids eat while I had nothing. I’d drank some water from the faucet in the bathroom to help me feel full, and hopefully stop my belly from making growling noises in class. It had kind of worked the day before, but each day I was getting hungrier and weaker every day.
Today I’d given in and as we filed back into class after lunch, I’d ducked out of the line, and headed behind the cafeteria. I’d seen the lunch servers throw whole trays of completely untouched food in there in the past. The trash cans were big, and I’d almost fallen in reaching for a cheeseburger, but I ‘d managed to scramble out just in time.
That was how the fight had started. Tyrell Night had followed me, and just as I was going to bite into the burger, he’d started yelling “Gross! You’re eating dumpster food! Starving beggar! Starving beggar!” I’d been prepared to wait until he got bored and went away, but he wasn’t really that kind of kid. When I didn’t take the bait, he charged me, and knocked the burger out of my hand. That’s when I lost it.
“Nathanial? Did your mom make that meal for you?” I shook my head no. “Did any adult?” Another shake. “Nathanial, when was the last time you saw your mother?” I stayed silent, gulping down my spit again. “I know this is hard, but if you don’t tell us what’s happening, we can’t help you.” She couldn’t help me anyways, nobody could.
“September 20th. ”
“Today is October 6th, so that was two and a half weeks ago. Are you sure?” I was sure. I remembered writing the date in my exercise book at school that day, and when I got home, my mom was gone. I nodded. “You haven’t seen your mother for more than two weeks?” I shook my head no. “Do you know where she is, or when she’s coming back?” Another shake.
The fact was, I had no idea. I’d gone to school and left Mom sleeping on the couch as usual. She normally didn’t make it into her room and crashed there instead. When I came home from school, a bunch of stuff was missing from the apartment, including mom’s clothes. She hadn’t left me a note or anything, but I knew right away she’d taken off.
I figured she’d be gone a few days, or maybe even a week—she’d done that a few times—and until then, I could manage alone. I’d done it before. Not only that, but even when she was she there, she wasn’t really around, so I was used to doing things for myself, anyway. As long as I had my key, which I did, I figured I’d be okay until she came back again.
“Nathanial, has any adult been at home with you during this time? A friend? Or relative? A neighbor? Anyone?” I’d finished the Mars Bar