“That is not true,” Raina said.
Ken turned, surprised to find her behind him. “Get in the house!”
“She’s the one who called 911,” EMT One said to the police officer.
The officer stepped forward. “I’d like to speak with your daughter,” he said.
“She’s a minor and I will not allow it.”
Several cars pulled up. Members from the Illumination security force stepped out and formed a line across the street.
“What the . . .” Words failed EMT Two as he observed the workings of the Nation’s security on this, his first call in Lucent Rising.
“There is nothing for any of you to do here,” Ken said. “This is private property. Please leave.”
It wasn’t immediate, but after taking one-sided reports with no input from the residents, the emergency crew and law enforcement left the Reed residence. Raina had remained in the hallway shadow, hoping for a chance to speak with the emergency responders. She wanted to relay to them Abby’s symptoms, and while an outsider would not be allowed to treat her little sister, hoped there was something they could tell her to do. When it became clear there was no chance of that happening, she went back upstairs, determined to get in Abby’s room. The door was open when she got there. Abby was awake and sitting up. Raina sagged under the weight of relief, almost went to her knees. They allowed her in to see Abby, who appeared weak and frail against the sunflower pillowcases. So concerned were her parents for Abby’s welfare, they forgot to censure her for the outsiders. Raina knew that as soon as Abby got better, her parents would deal with her for requesting their help. From the looks of things, that time wouldn’t be soon. Abby’s condition didn’t worsen but didn’t improve. In other words, her sister seemed very sick. When the next day came and Abby once again appeared to stop breathing, Raina knew that probation or no, forbidden or no, her sister needed a doctor. It was up to her to make that happen, and that’s what she planned to do.
* * *
The next day, Raina waited until her free hour during phys ed class, then snuck away from the school. She’d taken every precaution, even told the phys ed teacher she was tutoring a student, just in case a fellow Nation student happened to ask. Then she went out a side door away from the security cameras that covered the front drive, down along a row of bushes and through a neighbor’s backyard. From there she doubled back around to Joe’s Groceries, hoping that the student she tutored was working the meat counter. The stars were on her side.
“Gregory, hey, my phone died. Can I use yours to make a call?”
Five minutes later she was in the back of a nondescript car-service Honda, speeding across town. Her stomach roiled as the Uber neared the McFaddens’ home. She was relieved to see Valarie’s Honda in the driveway and saddened to note there was no black Mustang parked beside it. She knew from speaking with Jackie earlier that after school she would be at a classmate’s house getting her hair braided. Valarie was home alone, and hopefully had time to speak with her. She paid the driver, then quickly crossed the drive and walked up the steps before what few nerves she had left deserted her.
The door opened seconds after she’d rung the bell. “Hello, Miss Valarie.”
“Hello, Raina,” Valarie responded, looking past Raina to the street beyond them. “You’re not supposed to be here.”
“I know and I have less than an hour.”
“Didn’t you get in major trouble for being here the first time? You haven’t learned your lesson yet?”
“I guess not, ma’am.” Raina bowed her head and in doing so, missed Valarie’s smile.
“Good girl.” Valarie leaned against the doorjamb and looked at her watch. “Jackie’s still at school.”
“I know.”
“Why aren’t you there?”
“I tutor some of the athletes so the phys ed teacher sometimes lets me skip gym.”
“She won’t be here right after school, either. She’s—”
“—getting her hair braided.”
“So you know that, too.” Valarie raised a brow. “Are you here to see Bryce, that boy who got you kicked out of your house?”
“Actually, Miss Valarie, if you have a few moments, I’m here to speak with you.”
“Me? What about?”
“Can I come inside?”
“Of course.” Valarie stepped back to let Raina enter, closing the door once she was inside. “I was about to take a break and have a cup of tea. Care to join me?”
“That sounds good. It’s freezing out there.”
“Yes, this Kansas weather is extremely unpredictable. They say if you don’t like the weather, wait five minutes and it will change.”
They entered the living room. “Have a seat,” Valarie said, pointing to the couch before continuing into the kitchen. She filled a teakettle with water and placed it on the stove. Then she reached into a set of cabinets, pulling a container of tea bags from one side and two mugs from the other. She set them on the counter next to the kettle before rejoining Raina in the living room.
“So, to what do I owe this unexpected meeting?”
“It’s about my sister, Abby. But first, I want to apologize for what happened that day at Dollar Discount.”
“I apologize as well. We both could have handled that situation differently.” Valarie gave a dismissive wave of her hand. “Forget about that Nation nonsense. I know the real Raina. Now what about your sister?”
“I think she’s sick, maybe with that severe flu that’s going around.”
“Has your mom taken her to the doctor?”
Raina shook her head. “The Illumination doesn’t believe in using doctors or modern medicine.”
“She didn’t get a flu vaccination?”
“No.”
“You either?”
“Not since I was eight years old.”
Valarie was visibly taken aback. “What happens when someone gets sick?”
“We have healers who use natural resources to make members better—herbs, minerals, teas, vitamins—stuff like that.”
“And if they don’t work?”
“Mostly they do. But if not . . .” Raina couldn’t bring herself to say what might happen.
“Are they like some of these religions who’d rather let their loved one die than get treatment?”
“No one wants to lose a loved one, but if it happens . . . it was meant to be.”
Valarie chewed on those words for a moment. “Let me make sure I’m understanding this clearly. If the treatments given by your church don’t work, they don’t take the person to a hospital to see what more can be done?”
“It’s against the rules.”
“And despite Abby’s condition, your mother goes along? Were it me, I’d say to hell with any rule that jeopardized the health of my child.”
The teakettle whistled, as if to second that emotion. “Come choose your tea and dress it the way you’d like.”
Talk of sickness and healing was tabled for the next couple minutes as the ladies prepared their teas. Back in the living room, Valarie leaned against the couch’s cushy back. “I’m very sorry to hear about Abby. How do you think I can help?”
Raina sat back as well, her hands cupping the steamy mug. “I don’t know. I thought that maybe, as a lawyer, you might have some advice.”
“You want to know if there is something that can be done legally to force your parents to seek medical treatment for her?”
“Yes.”
“That’s a good question, Raina, though not my field of expertise.” She tapped Raina’s arm and stood. “Let’s go do a little research together.”
They walked into Valarie’s office. “Pull a chair around,” Valarie said.
Raina did as instructed and sat down beside her.
“Let’s see . . .” Valarie’s fingers hovered over the keyboard before she entered a variety of phrases into the search engine before settling on a page. “This one looks interesting. It’s from the United Nations Co
nvention on the Rights of the Child, CRC, a human rights treaty which sets out the civil, political, economic, social, health, and cultural rights of children.”
Raina leaned forward and read a caption on the screen. “‘The right to participate in medical decision making.’”
Valarie continued. “‘Article 6 protects the child’s inherent right to life and assigns responsibility for the child’s development and survival to the state. Together with article 24, which confirms that children have the right to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health and to facilities that promotes such a standard, article 6 ensures that children have access to medical treatments, technologies, and systems that promote their well-being. ’”
Raina turned to Valarie, her face gleaming. “So Abby has rights? She has a say in whether or not she gets medical treatment?”
“Whoa, not so fast, Raina. This sounds promising, but it’s one in probably thousands of papers on this subject. The parents also have rights and on top of that, theirs is based on religious conviction, thrusting us into the separation of church and state.”
Valarie backspaced to the list of similar websites and documents. “This is definitely not an answer we’ll get in less than an hour. But based on what you’ve told me, I’m concerned about Abby. So first thing tomorrow, I’ll get my assistant to do some research. Is there a way that Jackie or I can get the information to you?”
“Everything on my end is being monitored. It’s better if I get in touch with you.”
“Give us until the end of the business day tomorrow, then give me a call. Do you still have my number?”
Raina shook her head. “My parents took my cell phone.”
“My goodness. Your lockdown sounds almost as severe as some of the young men that I visit in prison.”
“At least I get to sleep in my own bed,” Raina said.
“I suggest your mom’s meals outdo jail food, too.” Valarie stood. “How did you get here?”
“Uber.”
“Come on. I’ll take you back to the school, or wherever you want to be dropped off.”
“Thank you, Miss Valarie.”
“I’m not sure I’ll come up with an answer. Don’t thank me yet.”
Raina left Valarie’s house feeling hopeful. Her joy was short-lived.
* * *
The next day at lunch, Jackie surreptitiously passed her a small padded envelope. Inside was a one-page document, typed and double-spaced.
Raina, here is what my assistant found regarding your question and Kansas law: “A parent legitimately practicing religious beliefs who does not provide specified medical treatment for a child because of religious beliefs shall not for that reason be considered a negligent parent.”
This Kansas statute further underscores that unfortunately, when it comes to Abby’s treatment and because of the Illumination Church’s recognized presence, the law is on your parents’ side. It states:
Kansas Criminal Statute: Kansas defense to misdemeanor child endangerment. Nothing under the definition of “child endangerment” . . . shall be construed to mean a child is endangered for the sole reason his/her guardian, in good faith, selects and depends upon spiritual means through prayer, in accordance with the tenets and practice of a recognized church or religious denomination for the treatment or cure of disease or remedial care of such child. Kansas Statutes §21-3608(1) (c)
Should we come across something that counters this position, I’ll let you know. The phone is little consolation, but I hope it helps. I’m praying for you. V.
The information was crushing, exactly what Raina didn’t want to hear. She’d been so hopeful, had thought if anybody could help her it was Jackie’s mom. That even the law seemed against her brought a cloud of sadness that hung over her for the rest of the day. What could she do now to get help for her sister? Raina was out of ideas. She spent the rest of the day unable to concentrate, and put her energy into visualizing a glowing Abby whose health crisis was behind them. Funny thing about life was that sometimes before things got better . . . they got worse.
Chapter 16
When Raina returned from school, there were several practitioners and healing assistants traversing the Reed home. Their presence made it easier for Raina to have a little privacy. After checking in on Abby and a brief chat with her parents, she took the prepaid phone Valarie had given her into the closet, leaving the door ajar just enough to hear someone entering her room. It had already been set up, complete with Jackie and Valarie’s numbers saved in contacts. That was Miss Valarie, professional and organized. The thoughtfulness brought tears to her eyes. She tapped the phone face.
“Jackie, it’s Raina,” she whispered, when the call connected.
“Girl, I’ve been worried about you. I read the note Mom asked me to give you and am so glad you called.”
“Abby’s really sick. She almost died.”
“Oh my God, Raina! Mom said you thought she had the flu.” All cynicism was gone, replaced by overt compassion and concern. “Is she okay now?”
“The healers and practitioners are working on her, but Jackie, I’m worried. She doesn’t seem to be getting better. What they’re doing hasn’t helped! But Mother and Father won’t hear of getting another type of treatment, and according to your mom the law is on their side.
“I’m Abby’s only chance at getting medical help. As it stands right now, I might once again be obscured.”
She relayed the story of what had happened the day before, and how for an illuminated, calling emergency was the worst thing that she could have done.
“What if she doesn’t get better?” Jackie asked. “This is Abby’s life we’re talking about. Y’all can’t be messing around!”
“I know, and I feel so helpless! I want her checked out medically, but for my parents, no way! I’d do anything to find out why she keeps getting these fevers. And now passing out . . .” Raina choked back tears.
“Where are you?” Jackie asked.
“In the closet,” Raina responded. “Literally.” The answer brought lightheartedness to a heavy situation. Both girls laughed. “My house is full of the Illuminated. It was the safest place I could think of to call you. By the way, please tell your mom thank you for the phone.”
“She did it for a reason. We’ve been thinking about your situation and came up with a way you might be able to get help for Abby, and somebody who can give her the medical examination she needs.”
“Who?”
“You know her, too. Miss Bev.”
Raina remembered the conversation her and Monica’s mother had when giving Raina a ride, how Miss Bev had been concerned about Abby and had suggested she be checked out professionally.
“You already know the problem with that. My parents won’t take her to the clinic.”
“We think there may be a way around that, too. Let me check out a few things and call you back.”
For the next few hours, a flurry of calls and texts were exchanged. Between Jackie, Valarie, Bev, and a few others, a plan was put into motion. It was an outrageous but doable one. Raina readily agreed. By midnight, everyone was in place and ready to do their part. It wasn’t lost on Raina how the people she’d been told to lose all contact with had come to her aid, as though nothing had happened between them. Raina was nervous and excited at the same time. Afraid that her antsy behavior might make her mom suspicious, she feigned exhaustion, and went to bed early. Jennifer came into her room just after nine.
“How’s Abby?”
“She’s . . . okay,” Jennifer responded. “The healers are still working to make her better but thank the stars that at least she hasn’t . . . faded further.”
Jennifer leaned on the wall near the headboard and stared at Raina for a long moment, then sat on the bed beside her with a look of chagrin mixed with compassion.
“Your father and I are extremely disappointed in you, Raina. Calling on outsiders for medical help is almost inexcusable. Yet we know how much you love you
r sister and understand that you acted impulsively. Because there was no breach of our residence, no stain of the outsider allowed through our doors, the Council is not going to consider this an error for consideration. You don’t want to risk being obscured again, Raina. It can lead to months, even years, without the fellowship of the church or your family, or worse.”
Being ghosted. Raina already knew.
“I’m really sorry, Mom.” Not only for what she’d done already, but for what she was about to do. Hopefully her parents would be none the wiser but either way, it couldn’t be helped. Raina would do anything to try and help Abby.
Jennifer brushed the hair from Raina’s face. “We know.”
Raina continued to listen as Jennifer tried to explain her and Ken’s position regarding Abby’s healing. She assured her mother that she understood, even as she lay fully clothed beneath the covers. The conversation gave her pause but was not enough to stop her from fulfilling the plan.
At just past two a.m., Raina crept into her sister’s bedroom and gently shook her.
“Shadow, wake up.”
“Sister . . .”
“Shh . . . we have to be very quiet.”
“Why?” Abby’s voice was high-pitched and weak.
“Because we’re going to play a game of hide-and-seek from Mother and Father. We have to be very careful that they don’t hear us, and that we move just as quietly when we return home.”
“But where are we going?”
“To meet a friend.”
“Sister, I’m tired . . .”
“I know. You only have to walk outside. A friend of mine is playing the game, too, and will carry you from there to the car.
“Car? Where are we—”
“Shh! Abby, please!”
A floorboard creaked. Raina’s heart seized. Her palms turned clammy. She counted to twenty, then fifty. Quiet resumed.
“You’re my shadow, right?
Abby nodded.
“Do you trust me?”
Another nod.
“Then I need you to put on your slippers and come with me. A kind woman is going to help give you light, and then we’ll come back home and get you back into bed before anyone even knows that we’re gone. Do you think you can play this game perfectly, get downstairs without making a sound?”
Saving Her Shadow Page 14