SOC 101 (SUBJECT 2)✓

8

- THERESA SENIOR -

I couldn't close my gaping mouth as I saw the scorn in my mother's eyes. Her brows were pulled upwards while her lips were downwards. I had momentarily forgotten what I had on when I had seen her, but the look of horror that made its way to my face seconds later after I remembered was what made my mother walk in and slam the door.

"Why haven't you visited in the past two months? Why didn't you borrow a phone to call the priest so the cabbie would come to pick you up? Is this what you came here to do?" She yelled, her body moving as her words did, "That aside, Theresa Smith, what are you wearing?"

I stared blankly at my mother before looking down at the fitted skirt I had been flaunting with Ryth's cellphone; I knew what I had done and there was no going back.

"I didn't wear it out, just indoors, my roommate was, uh, making a joke, and we wore similar outfits." I nervously explained, my words refusing to go with the inner monologue I was having with myself.

"Oh. Can you even hear yourself? How could you have allowed a person of sin to determine what you put on your body? Can't you see what this is? Is this how the women in the County dress? What has gotten into you?" My mother yelled, her hands shaking my shoulders violently, and I squeaked at the rough grip she had.

"Mum, please," I whispered.

Her hand tore through the air and found its solace on my left cheek, "You brat! You want to tarnish my image. You're nothing but a bastard. What if Mummy Kamsy came with me? Do you want to turn me into a laughingstock?"

She yelled continuously. Her hand ripping the soft fabric off my body as she hit, she ripped, tore, and pulled every single piece of adornment Ryth had used on me. My head hurt and my body ached. I could see strands of my hair scattered across the floor, and I felt my gaze blur from the tears in my eyes.

"Get up, Theresa, and wear what you're supposed to." She mumbled before stepping out, leaving me on the ground crying.

I was used to my mother's unfriendly acts, but I must have dwelled on the momentary peace I got here. The peace I never seemed to get back at County or whenever mother was around. I should have known. I had gotten a taste of this unknown world and the thought of mine had faded into the back of my mind along with every irrelevant memory.

I got up slowly, my hand slipping severally till I found my hold and stabilized myself. I knew she would not be patient with me if she came in again to see me on my knees.

"That's what a weak woman will do, Theresa, you are supposed to be like me. You inherited my name, didn't you? Be a strong woman!"

I grimaced at the memory that popped into my mind of my mother yelling at me when I was younger; I didn't understand why I remembered it now. I walked towards the bag that was filled with my clothes, picking up a grey skirt and a sweater. I threw both on and shoved the ripped pieces on the floor into the trash bag by the door. I hurried into the bathroom to rinse my face, wiping furiously at the gloss Ryth had used on my lips. My head ached and felt heavy the more I moved my body and I sighed. I pulled a scarf from my bag and covered my hair just as my mother pulled the door open with a smile gracing her features.

"Can't you see how beautiful you look right now? You look like the daughter that left my house two months back, it's too early for you to get influenced." She said calmly, her hand rubbing down my back, and I didn't realize how tense I was till she touched me.

Even her touch kept me on edge, "Yes, mother."

She talked for a long time, her hand still rubbing my back. She talked about the County, the church, the County, Mummy Kamsy, the County... It seemed like everything she talked about revolved around the County and I wasn't even listening. I hoped she didn't notice; I hoped she didn't get upset.

"I made this for you." She said, pulling out a small container from her bag and giving me.

I smiled with my tongue in my cheek, taking it from her hold, "Thank you."

"Eat it."

"Right now? I mean, okay." I nervously took the spoon and pushed it into my mouth. The taste had me holding in the need to vomit and I looked at her to see her smiling.

"Do you like it?"

"Delicious, it's very nice," I said, even though my face was the opposite.

"Theresa, you didn't lock the door." Ryth groaned, kicking the door with her foot before looking at me and then at my mother.

"Ryth, this is my mum." I introduced only to see the infamous twitch of mother's brow.

My attention drifted back to Ryth's dressing as she knelt slightly to greet my mother with a smile pulling her round cheeks. I saw how short her dress was, and I knew what was going through my mother's mind.

"Good afternoon. Who are you to my daughter?" The sweet voice my mother had used had me adjusting on my chair as I looked down.

"Her roommate." She replied before looking at me from head to toe, "What happened to..."

"Nothing." I quickly cut in.

Ryth nodded, completely oblivious to my mother's glare and my quivering body.

"I have to go, I left my keys." She said, picking up her keys, "It was nice to meet you, ma."

Ryth left, and I was left to deal with the monster that had been released. I could feel the heat and the words that her eyes said. In times like this, my mother was scary. I knew what was coming, but nothing prepared me for what she said.

"Pack your things, we're going home."

"W-why?" I stuttered as my eyes widened, my body moving backward and away from my mother.

"What are you doing? I'll be waiting for you outside. Pack your things." She said, not a change in her tone as she packed the container into her bag and stood up.

"How will I come to school? I am not done for the semester and-"

"No! This place is too sinful, the air reeks of sin. I am tired and I won't have you kill me before my time. You won't become wayward like that Ivana girl, that rascal." she yelled in frustration before glancing back at me as she walked towards the door, "I'm waiting."

"But I don't want to leave," I said, feeling tears gliding down my cheeks to unite under my chin.

"Don't make me repeat myself." And I knew it was final. There was nothing I could do or say to change my mother's mind.

I walked to the bag filled with my clothes and packed my things into it; I didn't know how Ryth would feel when she came in to see the half-empty room. I didn't want to think of it. I stole a glance at the little box on my desk as I packed my things off it; I saw a little note stuck to the side of it with letters written in cursive. I smiled at the gesture and stuffed the box in my bag before sniffing loudly. Tearing off a piece of paper from my book, I wrote a note down for Ryth, completely unsure about what my mother's plan was going to be.

I pulled the bag and walked out of the room, my eyes meeting that of my mother's as she hugged my side and we walked to the car. I looked up when I felt eyes on me, my eyes locked with Micah's and I turned away from him as I got into the car.