Chapter 4 - The Night Mateo Finally Spoke
The moment that changed everything began with a carton of spoiled milk.
Savannah discovered it on a Thursday morning when Lily complained that her cereal tasted strange.
She checked the date and immediately took the bowls away.
Owen began crying.
“There is no more milk,” Savannah explained.
“I’m hungry.”
“I know.”
She searched the cabinets.
There was rice, one can of corn and a packet of noodles.
Marlene had received grocery money two days earlier, but the refrigerator contained almost nothing.
Savannah went to her mother’s bedroom and knocked.
“Marlene?”
She only used her mother’s first name when she was angry.
The door opened.
Marlene wore a new dress and was applying makeup.
“Why aren’t you at school?”
“There is no food.”
“There is food.”
“There is rice.”
“Then cook rice.”
“It is six thirty in the morning.”
“People eat rice in the morning all over the world.”
“Where did the grocery money go?”
Marlene turned slowly.
“What did you say?”
“The card was loaded on Tuesday. Where did the money go?”
“You have become very disrespectful.”
“The children are hungry.”
“I am pregnant. Stress is bad for the baby.”
Savannah almost laughed.
Marlene used the unborn child as both shield and weapon. Every question became an attack on her pregnancy.
“I need twenty dollars,” Savannah said. “I’ll buy milk, bread and eggs.”
“I don’t have it.”
“You have a new dress.”
“It was a gift.”
“From who?”
Marlene stepped into the hallway.
“Go to school.”
“I cannot leave them without food.”
“Then stay. But do not blame me when you fail.”
Mateo stood behind Savannah.
Marlene pointed at him.
“Stop listening to adult conversations.”
“I’m hungry,” Mateo whispered.
“Ask Savannah to feed you.”
“She said there isn’t food.”
“Then she should have planned better.”
The words left the hallway silent.
Savannah felt something inside her shift.
For years, Marlene had blamed her privately. She usually waited until the younger children were asleep.
This time, Mateo had heard everything.
He looked at Savannah, confused.
“Is it your fault?” he asked.
“No,” Savannah said.
Marlene laughed bitterly.
“Here we go. Saint Savannah can do no wrong.”
Savannah took the children to Mrs. Kendall’s apartment.
The elderly woman made toast and scrambled eggs without asking questions.
While the younger children ate, Mateo sat beside Savannah.
“Mom said you might leave us,” he said.
Savannah’s chest tightened.
“When?”
“She said if I don’t behave, you’ll get tired and run away.”
“I would never leave because of you.”
“But you want to leave because of her.”
Savannah looked at his small, serious face.
She could no longer give him a comforting lie.
“Yes,” she said. “Sometimes I do.”
Mateo nodded.
“I think you should.”
Savannah stared at him.
He lowered his voice.
May you like
“Then maybe someone will see what happens when you’re not here.”
That afternoon, Savannah called Aunt Helena.
