Raven (Orphans 4)

mechanically about the kitchen. I dreaded sitting at the dinner table with Uncle Reuben tonight. My throat was closing as it was. As soon as he began his tirade against my mother and complained about me, I would surely choke on anything that was in my mouth, and he would scream about my wasting the food he worked so hard to provide.

Suddenly, I felt dizzy and had to seize the top of a chair to keep myself from falling. Aunt Clara came running to me.

"What's wrong, Raven?"

"I don't know. My head just started to spin."

"You look white as a candle. Here, let me get you some cold water. Sit," she ordered, and I did so. My stomach churned. When she brought me the water, I held the glass with both hands and sipped. It did make me feel a little better.

"I want you to go lay down, honey," she said. "I don't need you to do anything. Go on. Rest. You've had a big shock."

She helped me to my feet and guided me back to the sewing room. I hadn't pulled out the bed yet, so she did it for me, and then I lay down.

"I still feel a little sick," I said.

"Oh, dear. If you're not better in a little while, I'll take you to the emergency room."

"No, I'm not that sick, Aunt Clara. I'll be all right," I promised.

She stroked my hair and felt my forehead. "You don't feel too hot, but you're very clammy It's all emotional, I'm sure," she said. "Just re

st."

She brought the glass of water in and set it beside me. I settled under the blankets and felt a little better, but still my stomach flopped. I closed my eyes again, and before I knew it, I fell asleep, only to wake to the sound of Uncle Reuben's loud voice rumbling through the house like thunder demanding where I was and why I wasn't helping to serve the meal. I started to get up, and the room spun on me, so I had to lie back.

Their voids became indistinct mumbles, and I must have fallen asleep again, because when I opened my eyes this time, Aunt Clara was standing beside the bed with a tray in her hands.

"How are you feeling now, dear?" she asked.

I blinked, rubbed my face, and sat up slowly. Fortunately, the room didn't spin.

"Better."

"Good," she said. "Here, I brought you some dinner. You have to put something warm in your stomach."

"I'm not very hungry."

"I know, but it's best to eat when you're under such a strain. Go on," she said, placing the tray in my lap, "eat what you can."

"Jesus, serving her like she's some kind of special guest," I heard Uncle Reuben spit from the doorway.

"I told you she wasn't feeling well, Reuben. I want her to get some food down."

"Of course, she's not feeling well. Who would if they were brought up the way she was? It's a wonder she's not seriously sick with some bad disease," he concluded. "We might all come down with it, and you asking Jennifer to share clothes and such with her."

"I'm just as healthy as Jennifer," I fired back at him.

He smirked. "I can just imagine what your teeth are like. When were you to a dentist last?"

I hadn't been for nearly a year, so I didn't answer "See what I mean?" he said to Aunt Clara. "Either we get the state to help us, or .

"Or what?" I shot back at him.

"Don't you be smart with me," he said, pointing his finger at me.

"Let her eat, Reuben. There's time to talk about all this," Aunt Clara pleaded softly.

He glared at her, and she looked down quickly. "Time? Yeah, there's time," he said sarcastically. "Lots of time. My sister ain't coming back for her. That's for sure," he added, and walked away.