“She looks kinda good to me.”
“Mama,” whispered Marnie. “Mama, no.”
Sharon turned, staring at her daughter with a mix of regret and sorrow. She shrugged her shoulders, turning back to the landlord.
“The whole month?”
“The whole month,” he said rubbing his groin. Sharon nodded, opening the door further. Marnie screamed, crying for help. But would anyone hear her? Would the neighbors think it was just another fight? Someone help me, she prayed.
It came in the form of her stepfather.
“Marnie? Marnie, what’s wrong?” he asked running into the room. He looked at the landlord, then Sharon. “You sick, disgusting bitch. How could you? She’s your daughter!”
“That’s right! Mine. I get to do what I want with her,” she grinned.
“Not this,” he said. “Marnie, go grab your things. We’re going to the cops. We’re gonna do this right.”
Except right was never easy. It was back and forth in courtrooms, meeting with child advocates, lawyers, psychiatrists, and then having to face her mother again. In all that time, she was stuck in child protective services until they could prove that her stepfather was capable of caring for her.
Nine months. Nine months of agony and crying herself to sleep every night. She was made fun of for her weight at the shelter. She was made fun of because she was smart and liked books. And by the time it was all done, she was a young lady who didn’t understand her body at all.
“Marnie St. John,” called the judge. She stood obediently as the lawyer and advocate directed her to. “Do you wish to live with your stepfather?”
“I do.”
“Do you understand that I am going to terminate all rights for your mother, as she has indicated she no longer wishes to have you in her care?”
“I-I understand,” she nodded without emotion.
“And Hal Bankston, you agree to care for Marnie in the manner a father should? Provide for her, counsel her, protect her, and most of all, love her?”
“I absolutely will, your honor,” he smiled. The man nodded.
“These cases are always difficult. We always want children with their biological parents when possible but unfortunately, in this case, it is not possible. The court, and I, believe that you are a good parent to Marnie. And God knows, she needs one. Best of luck to you both. A social worker will be checking in on you for a while, so please make sure you keep your address current.”
“I will, your honor. I will,” he laughed hugging Marnie.
“Thank you, Hal. Thank you!”
“No worries, kiddo. It’s you and me now.”
Hal was a better mother and father to Marnie than her mother could have ever been. She never saw the woman after that day. In fact, when she was in high school they heard that she’d died in a car accident.
During her senior year, Hal came home to find her sitting on the fire escape of their Brooklyn apartment crying.
“Hey. Hey, kiddo what’s wrong?” he asked taking a seat beside her.
“It’s stupid,” she sniffed, wiping her eyes on her sleeve.
“If it’s got you this upset, it’s not stupid. Tell me. Maybe I can help.” She was quiet for a long moment then turned to him.
“It’s senior prom,” she said quietly. Hal nodded. He understood immediately what the issue was. “No one asked me and I thought I’d ask Tony, my friend. Just to go as friends, that’s all.”
“And what did Tony say?” asked Hal.
“He said, he said ‘no offense, you’re my friend, but we can’t be friends like that’. What does that mean? I wasn’t asking for anything except a date!” she cried.
“Oh, baby. It’s okay,” he said hugging her. If Tony weren’t a high school kid, he’d go beat the shit out of him. “Do you really want to go?”
