Marigold by Heather Manheim (best books for 8th graders .TXT) 📕

do the right thing. You will always have the love and support of your family. Even if we are not here when you need us, you will have a whole legion of people you can rely on to help you from the Heavens. You are my Little Marigold.

I love you, my dear one, always and forever.

Love, mom

~

Davis curled herself up into a fetal position, not crying, not even feeling anything but numb. Like her brain was dried out. She lay there, looking like a terrified child, hoping sleep would overtake her. She wanted to sleep for a few hours before departing and never look back. Her thought at that moment was that if the brain control could take back over, then she’d totally forget that letter and maybe even that Ruby was her mom. It would be so much easier. Davis just didn’t want to worry about any of it anymore.

Much to Davis’s dismay, sleep did not come; a half-hour later, she started to read the letter over and over. Trying to make sure what she was reading was also believable. She had never known her mother. She didn’t think the few weeks before being separated counted since she had been too young to remember any of it. Davis wanted to believe it was true, but could she be positive? She decided that once again, she was not sure of anything that was happening.

The little of what remained of the wee hours of the morning found Davis exhausted, both physically and emotionally. Sitting on the bed, then pacing back and forth, even laying on the floor at one point. Sometimes, the letter in her hand, being held like a prized possession, sometimes it laying on the bed, and Davis just staring at it like it was carrying a virus and could not be touched.

Reading the letter several times over made her feel like she was sort of in a daze. Davis did not feel as if she was processing the words correctly. She read it so many times but was not even sure of what it really said. Finally, Davis realized to make any kind of real decision; she had to process the information correctly. Her brain hurt, she was tired and overwhelmed, but she had to find a way to reset herself.

Davis went to the restroom and took a quick shower to try and feel at least a little physically better. Then, she brushed her teeth and went by the kitchen to get water before returning to her room. When she got back to her room, she took a few sips of water, then lay down on the cool bed, trying to focus her mind on the warm, cozy covers and the soft pillow her head was on. She didn’t think sleep would come, but pure exhaustion took over, and she did sleep a while, although anxiety eating away at her stomach soon woke her up. The words of the letter turned over and over in her mind.

Marigold.

Marigold.

You are my Little Marigold.

The words rolled around in her mouth, starting like a stone that was rough and bumpy and ended up polished and smooth.

Finally, when Davis could not push the thoughts from her mind any longer, no matter what she tried, she sat up in bed and turned on the light next to her. She then took the letter out of the drawer she had previously stuck it in and took a deep breath before rereading it. She took her time, reading it slowly, and focusing on each word. She did not know what it was, but some unknown force told her this was from her mother. Comfort gradually replaced unease and anxiety. But Davis still didn’t know what to do about any of it.

Davis took periodic breaks of trying to take short naps, but mostly she lay in bed and alternated between trying to clear her mind, rest a little, and rereading the letter. Nothing felt secure to her, her mind feeling calm one moment and then a jumbled mess the next. And while she was able to get a few moments of sleep occasionally, it was broken and didn’t feel like a respite.

Since she was not paying attention to the time, she wasn’t even aware of the knocking on the door until Ringo had been at it a full five minutes. He finally broke her out of her reverie when he slightly opened the door and peeked in. “Davis, are you okay? It’s past seven. If we’re going to take you into the city, we need to go now.”

A momentary pause stopped her as she walked toward the door. It was that pause that seemed to clear the fog from her mind. She said it before she could regret it. “Ringo, oh, I’m sorry for the trouble. Change of plans. I’ll be helping you, after all.”

September 18, 2056 – Some Explanations

Ringo nodded and closed the door. Then he thought better of it and lightly rapped on the door again, once more opening it slightly ajar and putting only his head inside. “Sorry to bother you. Are you okay? Do you need anything?”

“No, I’m okay. Can you give me a few hours? I haven’t slept at all. I need to rest a little. Then, if possible, I’d like to talk to Duffy. Is she around today?”

“Yes, she is—”

“Actually,” interjected Davis, “Can I talk to Duffy now? Then I’ll rest. I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep without talking to her. It’s nothing bad, just need to resolve some things.”

A few minutes later, Duffy was in her room, greeting her and asking Davis how she was doing. Then Duffy asked why Davis wanted to speak to her. Duffy said her words in a very calm and collected voice, tinged with kindness and compassion, making Davis feel at ease. “Thanks for coming in, Duffy. Can you please explain to me a little bit about how you knew my mom and what happened that caused her to write the letter and