Beautiful Soul

Chapter 1: May 2012

Before I tell you the story you are about to read let me give you a little information about 'myself. My name is Kyla Renee Clark-Watkin I was 15 years old when my life changed for the better and also worse. I remember like it was yesterday. I was at school and super excited, I was going to Virginia College to get my hair done. I felt so happy. I ran off the bus and headed to the house. "Hey baby" My mom Patricia said to me. She was white and was 53 years old whereas I was brown like Caramel brown. "Get your homework and take it with you we don't want to be late." I nodded I lived in fear of her she was abusive. Three days before she had smacked my face making a bruise appear. I grabbed everything and we headed to the school.

When we arrived, my mom and her friend got out when I did. I wanted to get a press and curl. My hair was washed and I had it in a bun. I signed in and the lady noticed my face which had a bruise from 3 days ago. I shook my head and she nodded "Baby you can go sit in the first chair," she said to me. I walked in and I sat down I was nervous I started my homework which was math. My mom was sitting in the waiting room. I heard the students and teachers talking around me and I heard "Florence here is your client." I looked up seeing a really tall lady. "Hi sweetie I'm Florence" she said I smiled at her, she looked really familiar to me like I knew her from somewhere before. Then I remembered her, she went to our church with her son, Caleb. He was 3 years younger than me. "Hello ms Watkins!" I smiled. She recognizes me and hugs me.

After about 3 hours Ms. Florence finished my hair, I was beyond happy. I was finishing my math work . The whole 3 hours went by quickly. I honestly didn't want to leave she made me feel safe and I looked in the mirror and was in awe. "I love it!!" I said hugging her. She hugged me she pulled away from me and she noticed my face. I looked down she bent down beside me taking my face in her hands "Who hit you baby?" I want to say something but my mom came in to see my hair. "That's pretty thank her and let's go." I did as I was told. We headed out in the car and I was on my way home but all I could do was think about Ms. Florence. When we got home I said goodbye to my moms friend and went in the house. Little did I know that in the next two weeks my life was never to be the same again.

Now it's the last week of May. I get my hair done by ms. Florence again. My phone rang it was ms. Florence! "Hi Kyla!" She said. I smiled "hey Mama Flo!!" "You still coming to the college tonight?" "yes ma'am I am" We hung up and next thing I knew my mom came in she was drunk. "KYLA RENEE COME HERE!!!" I rushed to her. Her hand met my face and I fell. "Mama!!" I screamed as another hit came busting my lip and my nose. "Find another way to get your hair done. You won't be going to college again. She went to her room slamming the door. I laid on the floor, I waited til she went to bed. I left the house and made my way to the school dripping blood. It took 2 hours but I had finally made it. I got to the entrance way. Ms. Toya seen me and I dropped to the floor she jumped up. She helped me to the couch "Kyla" "Mama Florence" I said barely above a whisper. They were starting to close the shop. Ms. Toya got up and walked in the room "Florence Kyla is here" "Oh my is that blood?" Ms Williams said, she was the teacher. "Who blood is that?" I heard Mama Florence. "Kyla's" I heard shoes running from the back. I sat up "Kyla?" I looked up, Mama Florence was bent down in front of me. "Mama Flo.. Help"

Before I knew it, my mother was in the doorway her hair all over her head and a cigarette in her mouth. "Kyla?!" I stood up. I looked at her suddenly scared. Mama Florence Ms Williams and Toya looked at her. "Renee let's go!" I hugged Mama Florence "I love you" she whispered. My mom grabbed me and slung me out the door and mama Florence went to step forward and Ms. Williams and ms. Toya held her back. I was so scared. I was so mad at my mama for doing this to me.

When I arrived at the house I saw 3 different cars there. I walked inside the house and my heart started ringing in my freakin ears. Mama took me to her bathroom and sat me on the toilet and she washed the blood off me. "Kyla I am so sorry for hurting you but you do dumb shit. But now it's time for you to be a woman. Do you love your mother?" She knew I'd do anything for her so she took me to her room and sat me on the bed and combed my hair she put makeup on my face. The first man came in the room he looked old enough to be my father. She let that man come in the room and do whatever he wanted to do to me. After he was done another man came in the room and the same happened with him. I wanted to cry. The third and last man came in he was rough I was hurting so bad.

After they left I just laid in her bed staring at the ceiling tears falling mixed in with the blood that came from my nose and lip. "Go clean yourself up" I slowly got out of bed and made my way to the bathroom, I couldn't even look at myself in the mirror. I lost my one gift I wasn't supposed to. I ran the water and then when it got full i laid in the water the hot water relax my body and I finally cried everything that has happened to me came out. I wanted to tell Mama Flo everything but I couldn't instead I went down in the water and scrubbed my skin trying to get the men off me.

The following Sunday I had to sing in the choir, Caleb stood by me and he smiled I smiled back. I had to sing a solo. I chose Put It On The Altar by Jessica Reedy. By the time I was finished Mama Flo was in tears. My mama didn't come she was passed out on the bed. I didn't want to come but I had to sing. It was my passion. Church was another way I felt safe it was my shelter. I haven't spoken to anyone especially not mama Flo. When church ended I jetted out the door avoiding everyone even my favorite mother of the church Mother Walters.

I spent the next three hours in the kitchen cooking Sunday supper. Mac and cheese, 3 different types of greens and biscuits. I made mama a plate and went to my room and laid down. I looked down at my phone and seen 12 missed calls all of them from mama Flo. I got a text message from her 'what happened today? Are you okay?' I didn't text her back but I called her "Hello?" Hearing her voice made me want to cry. "Hey ma" I whispered scared of what would happen if my mom heard me talking. "Hey baby girl. What are you doing?" I sat up "nothing really mama. I am so sorry about today." "Its fine but uhm Caleb said he didn't see you at school none last week." I froze, of course he didn't I had bruises in every area of my body. I couldn't show up to school with a turtleneck on in the middle of the summer! "I wasn't feeling good ma.. My monthly is on and I got sick. My grades are fine though so I will pass my grade and be a junior." Mama Flo sighed "alright baby has she hit you anymore?" "not lately she hasn't mama." "good if she does call me." "yes ma'am. I love you" mama Flo sighed "Alright bye sweetie" we ended the call and I fell asleep.