hurt girl

Chapter 7 Frances Setters.. Age 17

"Be careful sweetheart. You'll ruin the coverlet." Her mother exclaims with all the nurturing of a black widow spider to a fly.  She spoons hot chicken noodle soup to her daughter's lips, holding a napkin underneath for stray drops.

The irony that her mother is feeding her soup out of a bowl meant for humans is not lost on her at all. She slurps the soup loudly, aggravating her mother further. Making eye contact, she smiles sweetly at Audrey, knowing full well that she's breaking her number one rule. 

She intends to take full advantage of Doctor Kelley's visits. He's in and out daily, checking on her, and won't be leaving until her reconstruction surgery is over.  

With someone constantly watching over them, Otto and Audrey have to be accountable for anything that happens to her. There won't be anymore beatings, whippings, hair plucking, cigarette burns, torture, sexual favors, or sleeping in the doghouse.... for now anyway.

She can't wait to inform her mother that she started her period and has soiled the bed sheets, and most likely the mattress with her dirty blood. Of course she'll wait until Doctor Kelley is in the room to do so. She's almost giddy with excitement. 

Where is he anyway? She wonders. He stepped out into the hall when his phone started playing  Kashmir. He gave her a crash course in the phenomena that is Led Zeppelin when she remarked how beautiful his ringtone was. He seemed completely shocked that she'd never heard of them.

As if on cue, Meeker, as he's asked her to call him, raps on the door facing. "How's my favorite patient doing today?" He asks her, ignoring Audrey's presence.

"I'm OK." She says as feebly as she can,  without making it obvious that she's acting. 

"Well, you're getting better everyday, and that's all that we care about." He says, smiling at her. "Right Mom?" He asks Audrey, watching her every move and guaging her response.

She jumps, clearly startled. "Y-Yes, of course Dr. Kelley!" She finishes, aggravated and heated. 

She drops the spoon into the bowl, startling everyone, as she stands to leave. She starts out the door then abruptly stops. She chastises herself for allowing Meeker Kelley to get the better of her. She has a job to do, a role to play. She turns around and smiles at her daughter, who is clearly enjoying her mother's discomfort.

"Do you need anything else sweetheart?" She asks her daughter.

" Actually mama, I do." She pauses for effect. "I started my period earlier and I'm afraid I've ruined the sheets. Do you think you could change them for me?" She asks, but doesn't wait for a reply. "I'm going to need a clean pair of panties and a nightgown too." She finishes, and then adds, "It may have soaked into the mattress. You might want to check it." She smiles at her mama, shrugging her shoulders.

 Taunting Audrey makes her feel good, powerful even. She feels the urge to step on her mother, like an ant. To hear and feel the mish mash of its head and body exploding and spewing forth its insides,   would be nothing short of mind-blowing satisfaction. Her heart races and beads of sweat dot her upper lip as she imagines squeezing the life out of Audrey. She gasps at her excitement. Is she enjoying this, imagining her mother's death? She wonders, completely stunned by this revelation. She chastises herself for exaggerating her feelings and behavior towards her mother. It's only normal to despise someone who has hated and tortured you your whole life, she reasons. Who wouldn't want revenge of some sort, she maintains.

Unfortunately getting caught up in vindication blinded her to the very real consequences that lie ahead of her. Meeker, even with his dedication to the hypocratic oath and good intentions, had responsibilities to his own practice in New Hampshire, and couldn't very well stay in South Carolina no matter how much he wanted to. As it was, he had stayed away from his practice longer than he ever cared to. He dreads having to tell Frances, and has no idea how to go about it.