Chapter 5
I didn't understand what my mother meant.
Before I got sick?
Dad stared at her.
“What did you do?”
Mom covered her face.
“Not here.”
Dad shook his head.
“No more secrets.”
She looked toward my bed.
I could tell she didn't want to speak in front of me.
But I was already involved.
Whatever had happened, it was connected to my life.
“Tell him,” I whispered.
Mom started crying.
Then she explained.
Several months earlier, she had borrowed money from Aunt Rochelle.
It was supposed to help cover some household expenses while Dad was between jobs at his company.
But Mom hadn't told Dad about the loan.
She had told Rochelle that she would repay her within three months.
The money never came.
Rochelle began demanding payments.
At first, Mom ignored her.
Then Rochelle threatened to tell Dad about the debt.
“She said I was irresponsible,” Mom explained. “She said Marcus would never trust me again.”
Dad looked stunned.
“So you did whatever she asked?”
Mom nodded.
“She said the formula would help Malik. She promised that if I followed her instructions, she would forgive part of the debt.”
Dad stared at her.
“You exchanged our son's health for money?”
Mom began sobbing.
“I didn't think it would hurt him!”
I looked at my blanket.
The room felt strangely cold.
Dad sat down.
“Denise, you should have come to me.”
“I was ashamed.”
“So you put our son in danger?”
She covered her face.
Nobody spoke for several seconds.
Dr. Bennett returned and asked Mom to repeat her statement for the medical record.
She did.
The hospital social worker also arranged a meeting with Dad to discuss my safety after discharge.
I was relieved.
I didn't want to go home if the same things could happen again.
Later that afternoon, Dad received a call from the police.
He stepped into the hallway.
I could hear pieces of the conversation.
“Product samples.”
“Possible exposure.”
“Repeated administration.”
“Preserve the messages.”
When he returned, his face was serious.
“They're investigating.”
“Will Aunt Rochelle go to jail?”
Dad sat beside me.
“That's not something I can promise or predict. The investigators will determine what happened and whether laws were broken.”
I nodded.
I was beginning to understand that adults didn't always have immediate answers.
Sometimes they needed evidence.
Sometimes they needed time.
That evening, a specialist visited and explained my treatment plan.
I was improving.
The doctors wanted to continue monitoring me until they were satisfied that the symptoms were resolving and that it was safe for me to go home.
I felt relieved.
But I still had one question.
“Can I eat pizza again?”
The doctor smiled.
“When your medical team says it's appropriate, we'll work with you on getting back to your normal meals.”
Dad laughed.
“That's the first thing he's asked about that isn't scary.”
I smiled.
For the first time in days, I felt like a normal kid.
The next morning, I received a visit from my best friend, Jordan.
His mother brought him to the hospital.
He walked into the room carrying a basketball.
“Bro! You look terrible.”
I laughed.
“Thanks.”
He placed the ball beside my bed.
“I saved this for you.”
It was the ball we used during our weekend games.
I smiled.
“Tell the team I'm coming back.”
Jordan nodded.
“Coach said he's saving your spot.”
After he left, I noticed Mom standing near the door.
She had heard everything.
“Malik?”
I looked at her.
“Can I talk to you?”
Dad glanced at me.
I nodded.
He stepped into the hallway but left the door open.
Mom approached slowly.
She sat in the chair beside me.
“I know you're angry.”
I didn't answer.
“I deserve that.”
I looked at her.
“Why didn't you listen when I said my stomach hurt?”
Her eyes filled.
“I thought you were exaggerating.”
“But I wasn't.”
“No.”
“Why did you keep giving me the drink?”
She swallowed.
“Because I was afraid of losing Rochelle's help. And because I believed what she told me.”
I looked away.
She reached for my hand.
I pulled it back.
She started crying harder.
“I'm sorry.”
I wanted to say it was okay.
I wanted everything to return to normal.
But it wasn't okay.
“I don't know if I can trust you.”
She nodded.
“I understand.”
I looked at her.
“Are you going to make me drink it again?”
“No.”
“Promise?”
“I promise.”
I watched her face.
Then I asked something else.
“Will you tell Dad the truth about everything?”
She looked toward the open door.
“Yes.”
I nodded.
That was the first answer I believed.
A few minutes later, Dad returned.
He sat on the other side of my bed.
“I have something to tell you, buddy.”
“What?”
“When you leave the hospital, you'll come home with me.”
I frowned.
“What about Mom?”
“She'll stay somewhere else while we work through everything.”
I looked down.
“Are you getting divorced?”
Dad took a breath.
“I haven't made that decision yet.”
I nodded.
I didn't want my family to break apart.
But I didn't want to be afraid in my own home either.
Dad squeezed my hand.
“Your safety comes first. Always.”
Then his phone rang.
He checked the screen.
It was the investigator.
He listened for several seconds.
His expression changed.
“What do you mean the formula was registered under a different name?”
He stood.
Then he looked at Mom.
“Denise, did Rochelle tell you she was selling this mixture to other families?”
Mom went pale.
“I thought she only gave it to us.”
Dad ended the call.
May you like
Then he said something that made my stomach tighten again.
“She's been giving it to other children.”
