Sometimes You Need To Let Down Your Hair

Chapter 9

    When we got back to the house I decided that we should just walk through the front door. Mother hadn't been so nice lately, and I never get to do anything. So why not start doing what other kids do right now? I'm almost sixteen. I deserve some freedom. Sure, leaving the house with someone my mother has never met was a big step, but mother could deal with it. I didn't plan on her finding out, but if she did then she'll just have to cope with the new me. 

       When we made it inside I grabbed Lucas's hand and led him to the front room instead of going outside. He looked really surprised and said, "What's changed? Are you suddenly rebelling against your mother now?" 

       "Well, I guess I am. I've never been allowed to do anything except for stay inside all day and read a book, then do a whole bunch of chores. I've never even really had a friend before. Now that I've discovered how great it is, I'm not giving it up." I sat on the couch and gestured for Lucas to sit down.

       He hesitated, looked at the doorway, and then sat down beside me. "Can I ask you something," Lucas said. I nodded, and he spoke again. "Why do you call your mom mother? I mean, that's fine and all. But, it sounds formal and kinda distant." 

       I thought about his question, and I couldn't think of an answer. I suppose calling her 'mother' seemed more natural than 'mom'. I know she was my mom, but the word just didn't feel right. Mother was a title that fit her like a glove, but calling her 'mom' would be like a flashlight without batteries. It just didn't work. "I don't know. She's my mother and I love her, but the word mom just doesn't fit her." He seemed to accept that answer, so I didn't try to explain why I felt like that.

       "Well, just how secluded from the rest of the world are you? You say you don't get out much, you weren't really allowed to have friends, and your homeschooled by your mother, not a teacher. What's going on?" 

       I took a deep breath. I had often wondered the same thing, but the few times I brought it up mother ignored it. Or yelled at me. I didn't like that, so I just conspired by myself. Then when I did that I denied it. It was strange though. "Well, I'm not sure. It might have to do with what happened when I was younger," I fianlly said. He looked at me expectantly, and I continued with my story. "One day I was playing around in the park with my mom. I was too young to be afraid of things like strangers. Although, I'm still not really afraid of them. After all, I wasn't scared of you. Anyway, so I ran up to a stranger and they grabbed me. They threw me in their car, and my mom almost lost me forever. I don't remember much, but my mom was so scared that she decided that I'd never be in that situation again. I guess she just wants to protect me."

       When I was finished speaking I looked at Lucas. He was staring at the carpeted floor. I wrung my hands and looked away.aybe he thinks I'm weird and doesn't wanna be my friend anymore. The thought brought tears to my eyes, but I quickly blinked them away. Then I looked back at Lucas. This time he was staring back at me. "Well, I guess I understand why she would want to keep you hidden away. Maybe she will realize that your safe now though. That was a long time ago."

       I nodded in agreement, and then looked up at the clock. It was around 2:00 already! Lucas looked at the clock too, and jumped to his feet. "Aww man I told mom that I'd be back by 1:30! I'm sorry, but I have to go Willow. I'll see you tomorrow after school." Then he raced out of the house. 

       I laughed and ran after him. That akward conversation should not be the last thing that happens today. "Lucas," I yelled. He stopped on the sidewalk, and I ran to meet him. Then I gave him a tight hug. "Thank you for today." Then I let go and walked back inside. At the doorway I paused and looked back at the sidewalk. "And thanks for beingy friend," i mumbled.

       After I shut the door I started tidying up the house. I hummed softly as I swept the floor and wiped the windows. Then I dusted everything I could think of. Once that was done I went ahead and started making dinner. It was still pretty early, but I decided to make a pot roast and it takes awhile. The remaining time until dinner faded away, and  as just as I finished cooling everything, mother called for me. 

       I ran upstairs to her bedroom, and found her standing in front of her floor length mirror. This time, the lights in her room were on, and mother didn't look like a hot mess. She had brushed out her hair, changed out of her rumpled clothes, and put on a little to much makeup. I was surprised at what I saw though. She was wearing a short red dress that showed off a little too much, and had a pair of stilettos on. I cleared my throat and my mind before saying, "you called for me?"

       Mother turned towards me and said, "remember. Do not come downstairs, and don't make any noise. If we come upstairs then stay in your room. Do you understand?" I nodded, and she said "good. Well then I will go make you a plate of food and bring it to your room."

       Then she left. I lingered in her room, and my thoughts turned to our encounter earlier today. I vaguely remembered her looking at my baby picture. I've never seen any of my pictures, so I naturally became curious. I walked over to mother's desk, and picked around until I found it. I picked it up and then almost dropped it. This picture wasn't of me!

       There was a little plump baby in the picture. She had black hair and green eyes, and mother was holding her lovingly. I scrunched up my eyebrows and searched the picture for more details. When none magically showed themselves, I turned the picture as round. On the back there was a date, and some words. The date wasn't important. The words though were intriguing. They said 'my bueatiful little girl Ruth, and me on her first birthday.'

       What was this? Who was Ruth? Why didn't mother tell me she had another kid? Did something happen to her? I sat the picture down and started questioning my life. What was mother keeping from me?