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was really there again. Momma's angry face was so

vivid in my mind, those eyes bloodshot, her mouth

twisted and her shoulders hoisted making her look

like some kind of wild bird about to pounce. Whenever she went into her ranting, my

stomach would close like a fist and my breath would

catch in my throat, making me feel as though I could

choke on air. Retelling these bad times put me back

into that state of mind and I wouldn't snap out of it

until my lungs screamed. I'd blink a lot and realize

where I was and I'd be grateful I wasn't back then. That's how I felt now when Jade blurted her

question at me. I looked at her for a few moments

without realizing who she was and where I was. Her

face got all twisted with confusion..

"Why doesn't she answer me, Doctor Marlowe?

Why is she just staring at me like that?" I heard her

ask. "Star?" Doctor Marlowe said. "Star?"

That was my name, I thought. I heard her, but

she sounded like she was at the other end of a long

tunnel.

"Doctor Marlowe?" Misty said. "She looks

spaced."

"She'll be all right, girls. Relax. Don't let her

feel your panic. Star, honey?"

"Star, honey," Granny was calling. "You got to

go to school, child, or they won't let you stay here

with me. You know what that judge told us. Get up

now, honey. C'mon, child. Wake up. Your eyes are

open, Star. Wake up!"

I felt my body shake.

"Star, come on. You're not there; you're here,"