Page 40 (2/2)

"It's nothing She's only gotten her period"

"It hurts so much," I wailed

"Don't be ridiculous," Celine insisted

"If she says it hurts, Celine" Sanford began "Of course it hurts, Sanford It's never pleasant, but she's just being melodramatic"

"I don't know I've heard of young girls practically being incapacitated My sister had to be brought home from school I remember--"

"Your sister is an idiot," Celine said and wheeled herself closer to me "Get up this minute," she ordered

I struggled into a sitting position and then, using the bed, started to rise Sanford rushed to my side and helped me stand

"You're going to ruin the rug Get into the bathroom Don't you have any pride?" Celine screamed

"Stop yelling at her," Sanford urged He helped me into the bathroom and then stepped out while I cleaned myself and found the sanitary napkins I had to sit on the closed toilet seat to catch my breath The pain didn't lessen

"What are you doing in there?" Celine called She came to the bathroom door

I reached for the sink and pulled ht more pain I opened the door and looked out at her

"It hurts so much," I complained

"It will go away Get dressed We're leaving in an hour," she said and spun around

I started out of the bathroo over I tried to et ot worse The only position that brought any relief was lying on s up

Hoould I ever dance today? I wondered How could I perfor on pointe brought