The Butler

Chapter 2- Tragedies

I walk into my room after taking the bus. I hurl my backpack onto my bed as I recall the ridicule on the bus. Caleb wasn't on the bus but his two friends were. That didn't mean that the harsh treatment was any better. The bus driver would turn a blind eye to the bullying because ignorance is bliss. 

As I glare into the ceiling to pacify my anger, I remember that I had to make tomato soup which took a long time to cook, so I headed into the bathroom to wash my hands. After scrubbing my hands clean and turning off the water, I glance into my reflection. A girl who had thick glasses that were bad enough that her eyes looked enormous because of her genetic farsightedness. The dark circles and bags were more pronounced because of the magnification of the glasses. The uneven haircut at shoulder length that the bullies gifted to me a couple of weeks ago was growing at a snail pace. My chubby body was from eating late at night while I studied and the lack of time to exercise. I thought my body was fine until I got into high school. I admired all these celebrities who promoted body image of all types, but my hopes were shattered when my body was the target by Caleb and his gang. The stress of the bullying caused me to overeat as well. Relying on chocolate, chips and ice cream, I became more stressed as I packed on more weight which created a vicious cycle of gaining pounds of fat.

"You know what? You always do this. Self criticizing isn't going to do anything. Accept yourself. You don't have time to be complaining about yourself. You have work after Damon eats. Then you have to visit your mom and study until 3 in the morning. You don't have time for this Stella," I told myself for motivation. I slapped my chubby cheeks and rolled up my sleeves to cook the soup that Damon wanted so badly. Damon would be here in another hour after his football practice. Time to get cooking.

An hour later, I hear the door open as Damon walks in with his unworldly handsome self. He sniffs the air.

"It smells like heaven, Stella."

I blush as I turn my back to him. He made it sound like we were a married couple. I cut the grilled cheese in half triangles, and I ladled some soup into a hefty bowl for my pretend husband. Damon breaks into a full smile showing his perfect set of teeth. I giggle to see his childish side break out as he licks his lips in anticipation of the gooey, cheesy grilled cheese and the perfect tart combination of the soup. We both dig in knowing that he would have to give me a ride to my workplace soon.

As we get into his expensive car after eating and cleaning, he gets a call from his father. He starts driving to my workplace and picks up the call.

"Yes, father," Damon replies in an agitated tone. He hangs up the call, and he slaps the steering wheel in an resentful manner.

I look at him to try to show him he can share if he wants to or not. He looks back at me.

"Thanks Stella. Sorry. You know how he is. Cold when sober and violent when drunk. He said I need to come home for a charity dinner party. I can't leave my mom alone at the party with him. He's going to be a hassle to deal with because there's going to be alcohol at the party. Do you think you can walk to the hospital on your own today," he asks as he throws me an apologetic look.

"You don't have to apologize. I'm actually so happy that I don't have to spend more time with you. Ugh, tutoring is the worst, especially when my student is Damon and he can't understand algebra," I joke.

He laughs. It's my favorite sound in the world. His laughter lights up my day. His cheerful personality makes him so likable and popular at school, and I have the gift of calling him my best friend since we were in all the same classes from elementary to middle school.

We banter and laugh until we get to my job. "See you tomorrow, Stells," he squeezes my hand and smiles at me.

"See you," I respond as he lets my hand go. Why does his hand feel so good?

I close the door and watch his Ferrari SF90 Stradale drive out of the parking lot. A typical day of work and a typical day of school. I'm hoping it's a typical day at the hospital as well.

After five hours of working, I skip to the hospital in an elated mood, but my mood starts to wane when I observe the streets. Was the streets always this creepy? I guess I was so accustomed to Damon driving me around. I decided to hasten my pace and think about the good news. I got promoted and my paycheck was here. As I enter the hospital, Dr. Klaine stops me. He's the doctor that is assigned to my mom.

"Hey Stella. Can I have a word with you?"

My heart starts pounding. My vision becomes hazy. I curl my hands into a fist in anticipation of the news. Maybe it's good news? Maybe she can go home.

"Yeah Dr. Klaine. What's up," I ask hesitantly.

We walk away from the check-in desk to talk privately. Dr. Klaine's hands reach out to mine. I study his face. His face shows signs of aging and late nights at the hospital. His eyes look apologetically into mine and his eyebrows scrunch together. His lips form a tight line. My heart stops.

"Stella. You're a good daughter. Your mom," he pauses for a long time. "Your mom knows and you should know too. She doesn't have much time. It's late stage. As a doctor, I think you should let her go home and spend the last days with her. She wants to do that as well."

The tears from the bullying and the harsh reality of the impending doom of my mother come rushing down. The smell of the hospital starting to disappear as my nose becomes runny. I cry like no tomorrow as Dr. Klaine embraces me like his own child to soothe my cries. I soak his hospital gown into a wet sopping mess as I clench onto his gown. The years I've been at this hospital to earn money to pay off the bills and cure my mom created a strong bond between Dr. Klaine and me. I could feel his warmth as my hiccups from the crying started to cease. I nodded after breaking away from his comfort. His eyes were shiny from the tears he was holding back as well.

I mustered all my strength to give him the best smile I could give. I don't know if I did smile, but Dr. Klaine gave me the saddest look and patted me on the back as he walked away with his hands in his gown. I went over to the check in desk for legal papers to release my one and only mother. My father died at an early age leaving me with no memories of him, so I only had my mother to rely on. I would prefer if she stayed at the hospital in a possible miracle, but if my mom wanted to come home, she should have the right.

I walked over to the sink and washed myself up in the restroom. After I felt like I looked as presentable as possible, I walked into room 341 with my mom's name on there, Regina Rise.