The Real "Bloody Mary" ✓

😮 PART 10: EPIPHANY 😮

A woman sits at her desk tapping away on her computer when a coworker approaches her. The coworker smiles, "Good morning Katherine, how was Mary's birthday party?"

Katherine rubs her hands against her face exclaiming, "You wouldn't believe what I came home to. I found Mary's friends pounding on the bathroom door, screaming to be let in. I asked them what was going on and they told me that Mary locked herself inside the bathroom to do some stupid ritual. I got the spare key to unlock the bathroom door and found Mary on the floor with her legs covered in blood and scratch marks against her cheeks. I shook her awake and eventually she sat up. When I helped her up I realized what was going on." Katherine paused and whispered, "She's becoming a woman."

Katherine's coworker leaned closer. "She had her first period?"

Katherine nodded her head. "Apparently these type of things happen at these rituals. Girls go into the bathroom and experience menstruation for the first time. Of course the sight of blood will freak someone out, especially when it comes from you know where."

The coworker laughed. "Ah I remember when I used to do the ritual—I can say I was scratching my face too once I saw the blood."

Katherine was taken aback. "You used to do it too?"

"Of course, every girl does it. It's called the "Bloody Mary" ritual."

"Now why on Earth would they call it that?"

"I believe it originated from the English Queen Mary, who had problems with menstruation growing up. Most girls don't realize until they grow older what happened during the ritual. But you're right, it's sort of like an initiation into womanhood. I mean it always takes place in the bathroom and the girls are almost always in their pre-teens, around the time when we undergo these type of changes. Speaking of Bloody Mary, a couple of us are heading to the bar tonight to grab some Bloody Marys. Care to join?"

Katherine repeated. "A Bloody Mary?"

"Yeah you know, the drink? It has tomato juice, some Vodka, and a hint of Tabasco Sauce. It taste really well with some finger food."

"I think I'll pass. Thanks anyway Anne."

As Anne walked away Katherine began researching some information about the Bloody Mary ritual and found out that what Anne had told her was true. A folklorists named Alan Dundes reiterated what Anne had just said about the ritual. Her eyes scanned through one line of the article that read, "According to one study, since 'nice women do not discuss such matters,' many young girls have little or no prior information about the menarche." [117]

After reading that phrase Katherine realized she was neglecting her duty as a well-informed mother for not talking to her daughter about the occurrence of the 'menarche.' She made it a point to go home and explain to her daughter that the ritual was only scary and popular because she and her friends made it appear so.

As Mary sat across from Katherine listening to the process of becoming a woman, Mary sought confirmation. "So there is no such thing as Bloody Mary?"

Katherine shook her head. "Nope, it's all in your imagination."

***Author's Note***

This is the end of the story recounting the life and struggles of The First Queen of England. I hope the paper was enlightening and that you learned something new about Queen Mary and why the title of "Bloody Mary" does not do her reign proper justice. 

I'd love to here your thoughts on the story. Did you know this side of Mary's story beforehand? Has your perception of Queen Mary changed or will it remain the same? Was the paper easy to read and understand? Any constructive feedback is welcomed and I try my best to implement your feedback in my future works. 

Thanks again for joining me on this journey to discover the truth behind the First Queen of England: Queen Mary. 

- L. A. Rivera

P.S. Be on the lookout for my next book to be published in October. It will be a dystopian novel that takes place in the near future where Americans have given up their freedoms in exchange for greater security. More details are to come. Stay tuned.