Tempest Rising - Diane Mckinney-whetstone [86]
“You must didn’t hear me.” Bliss flung her legs over the side of the bed and sat up and attempted to whisper. “We can’t just leave here. They’ll find us; then they’ll tag us runaways; they might even throw us in the Youth Study Center.”
Shern had considered that possibility. But she had to take the risk now while she could still walk from here with her knees facing forward, before Addison forced her knees apart and left her waddling in circles like a confused, violated duck. “By the time they find us,” she said forcefully, “Mommie will be better and we’ll be back home.”
Shern could see even through the light of the low-sitting lamp that Bliss’s eyes were brimming over in disbelief that Shern had concocted such a plan.
“And how are we supposed to get there, Einstein?” Bliss had heard Mae use that expression with Ramona. She thought it was funny then; it wasn’t funny now.
“On the bus.”
“The bus?”
“Yes, the bus. I have my milk money from the past month wrapped up in a sock under the mattress. I called the PTC from the phone booth on the corner while you were jumping rope. The last bus that takes us within two blocks of the aunts and uncles leaves at two A.M.”
“And where we supposed to catch this bus?”
“On Sixtieth Street.”
“And how are we supposed to get out of this house with nobody knowing?”
“That’s why we have to go now. Ramona’s asleep, Mae’s out gambling, and who knows where that—that—” She couldn’t say his name or even utter a substitute for his name. She looked at her hands through the lamplight. “We just have to hurry.”
“And how’s Tore supposed to run? I’m sure you figured out in all of your figuring that we’ll probably have to do some running.”
“We’ll just have to help her.” She moved to the bed where Victoria was curved except for her hurt leg, which looked straight and stiff resting atop one of the pillows from the green velvet couch. “Victoria.” She sat on the side of the bed and whispered into Victoria’s ear. “Come on, wake up, and be very quiet.”
“Wha—” Victoria sat straight up and then grimaced and stretched to bring her leg down from the pillow. She let out a small moan.
“Unhunh,” Bliss said. “She’s really gonna be able to tiptoe on out of here tonight quietly. I guess she’ll be able to leap over tall buildings in a single bounce too, huh, Shern?”
Shern reached over to the other bed and punched Bliss on the shoulder with all the strength she could call. “Just stop being so contrary,” she almost yelled. “And stop saying ‘huh’ and ‘unhunh.’ That’s why Mommie almost yanked your head off that Tuesday night.”
Bliss starting crying. “You didn’t have to hit me,” she said. “And you didn’t have to hurt my feelings reminding me of that night. You’re mean, Shern, just plain old mean.”
“Tiptoe out of here?” Victoria was sitting with both feet on the floor now, and she leaned her weight on her hands. “What’s going on?”
“Go ahead.” Bliss sniffed. “Tell her about your brilliant scheme to run away from here.”
“Run away?” It was Victoria’s turn to look at Shern in disbelief. “Run away to where? How? Run away?”
“Thank you, Tore.” Bliss stood in front of Shern with her arms folded. “That was exactly my question. But big sister here has this grand idea that we can get out of here unnoticed and make it to Sixtieth Street to get on a bus that’s supposed to take us to the aunts and uncles.”
“Shern, are you serious?” Victoria asked it without the sarcasm.
“Does it look like I’m playing?”
“You might as well be playing,” Bliss said as she went over and sat on the bed next to Shern. “I think it’s a stupid idea, and you’re dumb and stupid for suggesting it.”
“I don’t know, Shern,” Victoria said slowly. “It might not be the best idea. I mean, what about when they come looking for us, have you thought about that part of it?”
“Yes, I thought about that part of it. I’ve thought about every part of it, from getting on the bus to how much I want to feel Aunt Til’s arms around me. I mean, I have everything packed and all organized.