Chapter Nine
"I'll be right back guys." I carefully got up and out of the van. It was a struggle, the first few steps, but the food had given me a new strength. I stood outside the van and stretched. I went towards the house. I heard the boys climb out of the van and slide the door shut. I opened the front door and looked around. Nobody. I wabbled through the house, occasionally stopping to rest. This was a lot of work. I found the door to the back yard open. I spotted Walker talking to John, and my mom talking to some lady. My guess she would be Walker's wife.
"Mariah! What are you doing?!" Tay shouted quietly from behind a wall.
"I haveta do this Tay. I have to make her pay for what she's done to me." I continued walking slowly. I could feel the anger boiling in my veins. The kids grew silent, watching me. Walker saw me and pointed. John turned around and his jaw dropped. I glanced behind me. Ike, Tay and Zac were a few paces behind me. My mom looked over and saw me for the first time. Her smile faded.
"Who is that young lady? Look at her! She's so skinny! And she can barely stand!" The woman exclaimed.
"I don't know." My mom replied shortly.
"You can give it up now mom." My voice came out strong, and I was pleased. it gave me more self-confidence. "Please don't lie to our guests. It's not polite." I spit out.
"Go back where you came from." She snapped.
"No." I challenged. "I've been down there since you've married John. You've kept me in the basement my whole life. And now that I'm out, I'm NOT going back. I'd rather be killed first."
"You listen to me-" She began.
"This is your daughter? I didn't know you had a daughter." The woman inturrupted.
"She's not-" She tried again.
"Yes, I am, unfortunately." I answered the woman's question.
"I'm Diana."
"Hi Diana, I'm Mariah." I said politely. Then I turned on my mom again. "Just admit it. Save yourself from further embarrassement." Diana had a look of disbelief and horror on her face.
"It's true mom, John. Look at the features. You can tell they're related." Tay stepped in and stood next to me. He reached for my hand and held it.
"What have you done- or didn't do to her?" Diana asked, helping me.
"She did this to herself. She refuses to eat, she never comes out of the basement-" My mom tried to turn the tables.
"Because I'm locked in that room you put me in!" I shouted. Tay squeezed my hand encouragingly. "You never feed me anything or I would eat!"
"Is this true?" Diana asked.
"We found her this morning and her food. She's already eaten a half a box of Honey Nut Cheerio's and a half a bag of Rolo's." Zac joined in.
"And what's worse," John added, "Is taht you lied to me. Our whole marrage has been a lie. You always told me she was out running around with a gang of wild friends. Is that you wanted me to have nothing to do with Mariah? So you could leave her locked up in the basement starving to death? Is that why you didn't want any of my family at our wedding? So when my family came over they wouldn't ask about her? You could just leave her in the basement huh." He was yelling now. Wow was he yelling. "Does your family even know about Mariah?" Everybody turned to her, expecting an answer. I couldn't stand anymore. All my Honey Nut Cheerio's decided to leave then. My knees went out from under me. I began to collapse, but Tay cought me, pulling me back up, putting one of my arms around his neck, and he put one his arms around my waist, holding me up. I was physically and emotionally exhausted. I layed my head on his shoulder. Fortunately, I had got it going enough that I could step out of this.
Everybody still waited for her answer.
"No. My family doesn't know about her because I have no family to tell." I knew she was putting her last defense up. 'Feel sorry for me- I have no family and I grew up in a not so happy home.'
"I'm sorry you have no family, but locking a girl up with no food is no way to treat and raise a child." Diana said.
"You don't deserve Mariah." John said to my mom. Everybody agreed.
"I don't have to take this. John, I'm leaving and taking Mariah with me." Tay held on to me more firmly.
"Oh no you're not. You're leaving. Mariah's not."
"She's mine. You have no leagal rights."
"If you don't leave without Mariah, I'll call the cops on you for child abuse, which is something I sshould have done before, if I'da knew about this. Pack up and leave. The divorce papers are in the mail." Lisa stood up and brushed past me, practically knocking me over. Tay had to pull me out of her path.
"You never wanted me anyway. You told me that plenty of times. Don't act like you're so depressed. You should be jumping for joy." I called after her, with my last ounce of strength, before falling limp against Tay. Everybody gathered around Tay and I.
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