was really there again. Momma's angry face was so
vivid in my mind, those eyes bloodshot, her mouth
twisted and her shoulders hoisted making her look
like some kind of wild bird about to pounce. Whenever she went into her ranting, my
stomach would close like a fist and my breath would
catch in my throat, making me feel as though I could
choke on air. Retelling these bad times put me back
into that state of mind and I wouldn't snap out of it
until my lungs screamed. I'd blink a lot and realize
where I was and I'd be grateful I wasn't back then. That's how I felt now when Jade blurted her
question at me. I looked at her for a few moments
without realizing who she was and where I was. Her
face got all twisted with confusion..
"Why doesn't she answer me, Doctor Marlowe?
Why is she just staring at me like that?" I heard her
ask. "Star?" Doctor Marlowe said. "Star?"
That was my name, I thought. I heard her, but
she sounded like she was at the other end of a long
tunnel.
"Doctor Marlowe?" Misty said. "She looks
spaced."
"She'll be all right, girls. Relax. Don't let her
feel your panic. Star, honey?"
"Star, honey," Granny was calling. "You got to
go to school, child, or they won't let you stay here
with me. You know what that judge told us. Get up
now, honey. C'mon, child. Wake up. Your eyes are
open, Star. Wake up!"
I felt my body shake.
"Star, come on. You're not there; you're here,"