I closed my eyes as I rubbed a damp cloth across my face. I threw slop to the pigs as my morning chores on the farm. My head hurt from dehydration and my back ached from the long labor. I couldn't tell why but in this particular moment I felt as though an endless pit of fire had taken root in my stomach. It's just today I told myself it's just nerves. As I continued my farm chores I tried to shake the odd feeling,but it seemed the harder I tried to ease my mind the more I felt I was going to be sick. Then I felt the hairs on my arm stand up as I heard a piercing voice come from inside the old farmhouse that I called home.
"Cammy!" The voice said.
"Coming mother" I said with growing anticipation.
I quickly abided to her command and raced inside the house.
When I came threw the door the hinges creaked and raced back and forth following in a sort of drum beat. I braced myself for my mother's harsh words about my awful posture or how my hair was to messy. Then suddenly like a clap of thunder my mother stormed into the room wearing a purple lace button up dress with a feather hat on top. I could tell she was in her nicest clothes which were only fitting for the awful monstrosity that was today. When she caught a glimpse at me she turned her nose up in disgust.
"Cammy I told you to clean up an hour ago there going to be here any minute!"
"Sorry mother" I hung my head low
"Jeez just becuase we're hovels doesn't mean we have to dress like em hurry up now girl" She said pointing towards a bucket of soapy water on the counter and a bright green dress that lay on the bedside table next to it.
I scrunch my nose up at the word hovel. I hate that word and I hate the people who gave it to us. During the third world war everything was in absolute chaos. All the countries had turned to nuclear weapons
and the result of that was the Earth turning into a radioactive wasteland. The only countries not affected by the war were the eastern parts of the United States(which was later renamed the United Reserve) and the northern parts of Russia due to their high level economy's and their good weapon manufacturing. The other two countries not affected were Canada and Switzerland due to their intent on peace. But anyway during the war a group of poor citizens which included farmers,factory workers and other considered useless people from both Canada and the United States formed an elite group who fought against the war and lead peaceful protests. When the government heard about this group they immediately prosecuted them for reasons that were unknown. Many people were mad about the fact that they were prosecuted for simply expressing their opinions and basic freedom of speech rights. As the protest continued more tension grew between the government and the citizens. So when the war ended they moved all the protesters or people who had spoken out towards the government in little cramped towns with almost no resources and forced us to work hard labor jobs. Then to make matters worse they called us Hovels, which just seemed like a way to increase our embarrassment. Suddenly snapping out of my daze I went over and grabbed the bucket of water steadily. Holding the bucket in one of my hands I leaned down and picked up the dress with the other. Then I marched into our tiny bathroom, poured the bucket into a large basin, and braced myself for what was to come.
I looked at myself threw a small mirror. I had cleaned my face and washed all the grime off myself. My hair had been properly cleaned and conditioned for the first time in what had been at least a month. I stared in awe as I looked at the reflection. Normally I was to busy to care of such things like physical appearances but I had to admit I liked this version of me much better. The version where I looked like I was a normal member of society and not some freak the government had left to rot. The version where I wouldn't have to be embarrassed to leave the farm. The version where I actually felt pretty. I looked down at the green dress my mother picked out. The bottom of it was coated with lace and it faded into a lighter green as it went up. The sleeves went a little past my elbows and the cuffs were made into simple frills. I was still in shock of how my mother had made something so beautiful. I knew she made it because the markets didn't sell anything like this, and even if they did it would be much to expensive for them to afford. I also knew she had made it because the fabric was my favorite color. I shook my head in amazement once more. I wondered how long it took her to make it so perfect.
As I walked out of the bathroom my mother was standing their waiting to see how I looked. She glanced up and down at me silently as she kept her usual stern
"Ok you look ready" , she said "and I hope you don't expect anymore dresses like that anytime soon." She said raising her eyebrow at me.
"No mother", I replied quietly. "And thank you it's truly gorgeous".
"Well ok we'd better get going it's almost noon and you know what that means" she said as she sadly sighed.
