Ronnie tossed the phone on the couch. “Help.” She stood up and hissed, gently pressing her scar to hold her abdominals together. The room spun. She leaned on Nev.
“Easy,” Nev warned. “You’re milking it. I’ve told you a thousand times not to stand up like toast popping out of a toaster!”
Ronnie shuffled to the bathroom, knocked.
A soft voice said, “Come in.”
Inside, Rainbow sat red-faced on the toilet, looking sick.
“What’s up?” Ronnie frowned. “Talk to me, babe.”
“There’s blood.”
It was too early for Rainbow’s first period. She wasn’t even ten yet. “That’s alright, babe. No worries. That happens. You have other pants.” She felt sick to her stomach. Don’t panic. Pretend everything is fine. Project calm.
Rainbow moped, knees pressed together, eyes downcast. Ronnie wondered if this was the first time it had happened. It must have come as a shock. “Has this happened before?”
Rainbow shook her head.
“Right. Well. Congratulations. Welcome to the club.”
“I don’t want to be in the club. The club sucks.”
“Right. Well.” Ronnie looked at her watch. Too late to call Maude. “I have pads. I can teach you how to use them. How do you feel?”
“Stomach hurts.”
“That’s normal. That’s called cramps.” She handed the girl some over-the counter painkillers and a glass of water. “When I got my first period I was fourteen. Nana Jane gave me a new shotgun. I’m not giving you a shotgun.”
“I don’t want one.”
She searched for something meaningful to say that wouldn’t sound trite. “Rite of passage.”Bloody hell. Rite of passage? What does that mean? Is that the best you could do?“Do you have questions, babe?”
Rainbow shook her head. “Give me the pads, I’ll figure it out.”
She did. “Instructions on the box.”
“You can go now.”
“Right.” She swallowed. “We can talk about it in the morning.”
“Or not.”
“There’s nothing wrong with you. It’s a little earlier than I was expecting, but that’s okay. Drink water.”
“Go away.”
Ronnie left.
Nev was waiting in the passage. Ronnie wobbled between the wall and Nev’s side. In the kitchen she gingerly lowered herself into a chair, knowing she wouldn’t be able to get up again.
“Is she alright?” Nev asked.
Ronnie nodded. Her back hurt.
They exchanged a look. Nothing needed to be said. Nev rubbed her face.
“Ice cream?” Ronnie asked. She didn’t have the energy to scoop it.
