I could not sleep the previous night. I got up from the bed the next morning feeling like I had spent the whole night carrying logs. To make up for last night I decided to make breakfast so we could eat as a family and make up for lost times. I had decided to let things go, stop asking questions like Simon suggested and try to have fun figuring out my life here in Duncan time. I went to my mum's room to tell her I was preparing breakfast.
"She asked me what happened, Mike. What if she found out?"
"What are you talking about. You are not going to tell her or are you?".
"Of course not but I know Barbara she's my daughter and she's really smart. I have a feeling she might find out. When she does she will be hard to tame, she is not Simon. She has made some choices in her life and it has changed her. Barbara is not like her mother, she is herself, strong, confident and all that".
"Oh please, just don't tell her anything and tell Simon not to tell her too. She will come around trust me".
"But Mike...".
I did not know what happened next as I couldn't see through the door but I heard mum crying then I heard Mike's voice.
"I told you to let this be, Tania. I do not want to talk about this. You know what happens when you disobey me".
Okay did I say I was going to stop investigating what is happening around me? I lied.
It made me sad to have to witness this but I can't help but feel it served my mom right. The only person I feel pity for is Makaela and well maybe Simon too, they both should not have to find themselves in this kind of situation. Also, I feel pity for Simon's mum, uh what's her name?.....Sienna.....yes Sienna, I mean she had to marry a man like Mike at least until my mom married him. I am not really sure what happened to Sienna but am pretty sure it's not good.
I went to prepare breakfast which was smoked salmon and poached eggs on toast with Quinoa egg muffins. The meal was super delicious. It is an Italian breakfast I learned from Nana. Even though it took a lot of time and stress, my hard work paid off. Everyone loved the meal. Even Mike and mum was present at the table.
"I'm so sorry everyone" I paused, searching their faces to see if they knew what I was talking about." I should not have been inconsiderate and should have respected everyone's privacy"
"It's okay we forgive you".Mike said
"Oh when I said everyone, I was not talking about you".
"Please Barbara, let peace reign okay?". Mum said.
I turned to Makaela.
"Do you care to go out with your big sis?".
"Why am I not invited?".
" Hello? girls day out". I said snapping my fingers hard.
"I am not so sure about going out"Makaela interrupted and stood up to go to her room.
Simon stood up and followed her. I followed Simon but stood at the entrance instead of going in.
" You see, I told you she will come around," Mike said grinning.
Mum only rolled her eyes in response. I went in and met Simon and Makaela talking.
" Come out with us, it will make us bond even closer and you are going to have a lot of fun," Simon said.
" Simon is right makaela. Going out together is good for all of us"
She agreed to go out with us and we went to an amusement park for kids. The day was fun until five in the evening when mum called Simon and said the bus was waiting for makaela.
"Call her and say you will take her there yourself".
"You think she will agree"
"Am positive, just don't tell her I will be coming with you"
He did and mum agreed.
"I guess this is goodbye". I said when we got to shadowing meadows.
"Goodbye Makaela, "Simon said.
Makaela just went in without saying goodbye. I ran after her and hugged her from behind. She was crying when I caught up with her.
"It is going to be alright"
"Are you sure Barbara".
"Positive".
"I hate this place"
"I know but mom insisted it was for your own good".
"Mum knows nothing, Barbara"
"I know that Makaela but you have to do what she says. It is why she is our mum".
"I don't want to go back to shadowing meadows".
"You have to go".
Some officials came and tried to take her away. She struggled with them and kicked them violently.
"I don't want to go. Don't let them take me away".
"Are you her sister".One of the officials asked me while holding his knee.
"Yes I am"
"How old are you?"
"Sixteen"
"Oh you would have to call your mum"
"Why".
"There is something we would need the attention of a legal adult on. "
"What?"
"Some official documents that need signing".
"My brother over there...."I said pointing at Simon. "...is a legal adult. He is twenty".
"Okay. Let him come over".
I called Simon and we went to the office together. Makaela still kept screaming and kicking them.
"Nurse,"A man in green said. He seems to be the one in charge.
"Yes, Mr Thomas"A nurse in blue scrubs answered.
"Apply the tranquillizer".
"Age?"
"Under 11".
"OK, sir".
She took an injection from the kit she was holding.
"No, no-no-no. Barbara, Simon don't let them do this to me"
"Let her be"I screamed but it was too late. The nurse injected her and she became so calm and she slept off immediately.
"Let's go in".Mr Thomas said and led us to his office. The office was plaid and was the most boring looking office I have ever entered. It was furnished with a table, a shelf, a director's chair, two chairs and one sofa.
"You have to sign some papers but first you need to call your mum. You might need her permission". He searched through his desks and brought out some papers.
"What are this papers for". I asked.
"Who is the adult here...you?"He said with sarcasm.
"Makaela is my sister, my pure blood. Simon is only her stepbrother. I have a greater right over her".
"Barbara, please I've got this"."Sir pls what are this papers for".
"We are taking away her rights to go home during the weekend like other children and I will need your permission to do that".
"What, "Simon and I said simultaneously.
"Yes," Mr Thomas continued. "She is becoming more violent by the day. I have this feeling she not ready to change. I believe if we take some privileges away, she might be reformed"
Simon called mum and she gave her consent.
"Simon you should not have called mum. You would have just told Mr Thomas that mom did not agree. How could you do this".
Simon ignored me and went to sign the papers.
"You can't sign these papers Simon. I demand that Makaela be checked out of this place right now".
"You don't have the right to do that"Mr Thomas chuckled.
"Barbara please let us be calm okay. we will talk about this In the car. Right now we need to do what is best for Makaela".
"But she can't stay here anymore. she doesn't want to"
"But she doesn't want to stay home either. Even if she wanted too, she can't because it won't help her. It will only make her worse"
"Makaela is not that bad. She doesn't deserve to stay in a home for bad kids"
Simon signed the papers and took me out of the office.
I demanded to see Makaela and surprisingly I was allowed to see her. The room she was placed in was designed for only one person. It had a small bed like a hospital bed. It also had a small reading table and a wooden chair. The room was barricaded from the hallways with iron bars and a glass soundproof door.it looked like a prison. Makaela was lying on the bed like a patient that just got out of the operating room. In the hallways, there were many other rooms with children in it. Some of the rooms were shared by two children. There was also a playroom in the hallway with plenty of toys. Some children were playing in the room. I noticed a schedule sheet posted on the wall outside every child's room. The schedule indicated their activities and time. Makaela was supposed to have sports in the gym class. Looks like she's on the gymnast and cheerleading group.
"Listen, Barbara, can I trust you on a secret, "Simon said when we got outside, interrupting my thoughts.
"Sure".
"Promise me you won't tell mom or dad".
"I promise".
"Makaela is not here because she is a bad kid. She is here because mom wants her to be away from dad".
The realization hit me hard.
Being at Shadowing meadows and being at home is like a rock and a hard place, the mud and dirt.