The Horror Begins

Madeline is busy cleaning her house after a long hectic weekend with her family. If she wasn't breaking up an argument between their girls, she quarreled with her husband, Stan.

It'd be nice if he'd help me with Katelyn and Katie instead of complaining about their noise. I don't dare suggest that to Stan, she thinks, glancing at her right arm. Her extremity never healed properly after Stan pushed her down the stairs. It's just another battle scar of life, she sighs, plugging in the vacuum. Well, I'd rather him take his anger out on me than the girls. She starts thinking about her oldest daughter, Katelyn, as she finishes her chore.

Katelyn was a troublesome child from the moment she's born, crying nonstop morning, noon and night. When she wasn't bawling, she's throwing up her formula.

Blaming her for all of Katelyn's health problems, Stan moves his mother into the house to teach Madeline proper child care. This leads to contact battles, harsh words, and bitter resentment between the three. Madeline became so depressed that she had to force herself out of bed.

"I've been here nearly two weeks, Stan, and this poor child hasn't improved one little bit." His mother announces late one evening.

Glancing down at the flailing child, she continues, "I think there's something wrong with her, son. I really do."

"What do you think it is, Mom?" Stan asks, glaring at Madeline

Of course, you would think I did something to her,/ Madeline thinks, sinking further into the couch. According to them, she can't do anything right, not even boil water for their tea.

"I'm not sure."

"What do you suggest we do?"

"I think we should take her to the doctor."

I've been telling him that for weeks, Madeline thinks, watching Stan gather Katelyn's things.

Katelyn is diagnosed with pyloric stenosis, a rare neuromuscular disorder that requires immediate surgery.

Her health improved dramatically. Stan's mother finally returned home.

The peace continued until Katelyn learned how to walk. If she wasn't tearing up things, she's getting into something or climbing on things. Trying to get Katelyn to sit in one spot is impossible. This made naps and bedtime a chore. Madeline tries to corral her active child with playpens and baby gates, but neither held her for long.

Madeline is physically and mentally spent, with no relief in sight. Stan's constant bickering only heightens her stress.

"I don't know how much more of this I can take, doctor," Madeline cries, pulling Katelyn down from the shelf.

"You've tried everything I've suggested?"

"Yes, but nothing seems to help."

"I was hoping it wouldn't come to this."

"Come to what?"

"I'm afraid Katelyn might have ADHD."

"What's that?"

"Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a mental illness that causes someone to be extremely active. It can also cause them to act out and have difficulty paying attention."

"That sounds like her, alright. Katelyn, no, you get down from there. See what I mean," she groans, grabbing the child again.

Katelyn thrashes around in her arms, trying to break free of her grip. "Katelyn down," the child orders, flogging around in her mom's arms.

Realizing it's a losing battle, Madeline puts her down. "Fine, go." She sighs.

"I'm going to prescribe Adderall, see if that doesn't help."

"I'm willing to try anything," Madeline says, watching Katelyn climb the bookshelf again.

Adderall helps with her attention span, but other problems start to arise. Katelyn starts having problems pronouncing words, occasionally confusing her words and her hostility reached a violent level. Her doctor tries a new med, but that doesn't correct her problems.

~~~

Madeline is loading the washer when the phone rings. I hope that's not Katelyn's school again, she thinks. Katelyn's principal calls every other week, wanting Madeline to pick up her disruptive daughter when the school first began. When she hadn't heard from them in a while she thought that her daughter had finally settled in.

"Yes, this is Mrs. Howard....She threatened to hurt her classmates with a knife....Of course, I didn't know she had it....I know she's been disruptive before, but she's never done anything like this. No, don't call the police. I'll be right over to pick her up," she sighs. Here we go again. Slamming the phone in the cradle, she heads towards the door.

****

Madeline sees Mr. Hensley's secretary, Betty standing at the door when she pulls up. That's not a good sign, she thinks, hesitantly climbing out of her car.

"I've seen Katelyn upset before, but never like this," Betty says as Madeline makes her way down the sidewalk.

Stepping into the building, Madeline heads towards the office. I bet her principal will have a lot to say about this, she wearily thinks, remembering how he threatened to expel her if she misbehaved again.

"She's not in there, Mrs. Howard."

"Where is she, then?" Madeline asks, spinning around.

"We put her in our music room, away from the other children. We thought it's best to separate her before someone gets hurt."

"How did this get started?" Madeline asks, sprinting towards the room.

Betty is running, trying to keep up with her. "We're not exactly sure."

"What do you mean you're not sure?" Madeline angrily replies, spinning towards her.

The frightened woman jumps back. "The kids said she was running after them with a knife screaming, 'You're never going to hurt me again."

"Were they trying to hurt her like she claims? Let me guess; you don't know that either."

"We have so many students that it's difficult to keep an eye on everyone."

"So you lock Katelyn away like some animal, not knowing what really happened? I suppose those kids didn't get punished, am I correct?"

"They didn't do anything wrong."

"According to who? Let me guess, them. I bet you didn't even ask the other students what happened, did you?

"Well, no, but..."

"It's easier to make my daughter a martyr than find out what really happened, right?" she asks, pulling on the door. "You locked her in?"

"We have to keep everyone safe," Betty explains, fumbling with her keys.

Madeline sees Katelyn standing on the windowsill, broken glass all around her when she opens the door.

"Katelyn, no, don't jump," she screams, running towards her.

Katelyn turns to find Madeline running towards her, "Mommy," she cries, falling into her parent's arms.

"She could have killed herself just now," Madeline screams.

"I...I..."

"Wait until the school board hears about this. Come on, Katelyn." Grabbing her child's hand, Madeline drags her across the room.

"I need to speak to you a moment, Mrs. Howard," Mr. Hensley says, blocking the doorway.

Madeline impatiently taps her foot on the freshly polished floor. "Well, what is it?"

"We feel that Katlyn would do better in a different school, perhaps a private academy. They have fewer students, less stimulation."

"You're kicking a first grader out of school?"

"I don't believe we can handle her behavioral issues any longer, Mrs. Howard."

"This is the first time she's had an outburst like this in months."

"Have you forgotten about her playground incident when she pushed a few of her classmates into a mud puddle?"

"When did this happen?" she questions.

"About a month ago, we sent a note home with Katelyn explaining what took place."

"I never got it," Madeline says, glaring at her daughter. Katelyn smiles.

"I suppose you didn't get our notes about art class or library time either?"

"No, I haven't received any notes from you in quite some time."

"Well, I'm sorry, Mrs. Howard, but my mind is made up. She'll have to attend school somewhere else."

"We'll just see what the school board has to say about that, now won't we," she threatens.

"They're well aware of Katelyn's problems."

"Well, they haven't heard from me yet. Come on, Katelyn," she orders, pushing past him.

"Wait, Mrs. Howard, I need you to sign some papers before you go," Mr. Hensley yells down the hall.

Madeline spins back around. Katelyn trips over her own feet as her body swings sideways. "You know what you can do with your papers, don't you?"

"You can stick them up your a...."

Madeline jerks her child's arm. "Katelyn Rose, that is enough out of you," she scolds, dragging her towards the door.

Turning around, Katelyn gives her principal the bird.

Shaking his head, Mr. Hensley walks to his office, his secretary follows behind him.

"You did your best, sir."

"I just wish I can figure out how to get through to her," he gloomily replies, watching the troubled child fade down the hall.