FORTY
Clara Addas
It took exactly two weeks to chase away the lingering pain, but it seems like a full year of torment and mystery.
Dawn breaks into my room, bright enough to bring me out of my slumbers.
When someone knocks at my door, I'm expecting Daniel and the usual tray of breakfast, but the door frames Aunt Dahab. What does she want? At six a.m, on a Saturday. Nothing good could ever come out of this.
"How are you?" She asks but her suspicious eyes tell me she's not really concerned.
"I'm good," I say.
I no longer hurt everywhere but still I fake. Stay in bed all day. Wait for someone to bring me breakfast. Help me shower. Help me dress.
The Islam community at large visits often. I am unwell. One of their own. They must mind my health. Take care of me. Good care.
Sometimes I forget to wince when someone touches my stomach. This is where it still hurts the most. You must pretend. They should be under the impression that I'm a delicate flower.
They handle me with care. Prop me on pillows. Tuck me in. Feed me soup. Which smells like goat pee. When I eat it, my face gets messed up. They just assume I have difficulty swallowing. A sore throat.
We're all in this movie together. Playing our parts beautifully. They care. I'm sick.
Daniel sits beside me whenever he can. I must not be left alone, lest someone tries to kill me. Again. To finish the job.
I'm in danger.
Police, two of them, guard me. See? I'm royalty. I'm important.
I wonder, if only briefly, if this is what it feels like to be an A-Lister. I must be protected. The police are my friends now. Suspicion has skipped over me.
Teenagers don't commit suicide with Thallium. Not girls like me. This is something only someone who reads weird books, who's a young chemist would do. The easiest way to get rid of your twin. Daniel reads...a lot.
Apparently Daniel killed my father. And now, he's poisoned me. He's evil. Someone to fear. I'm in awe.
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