02
Dad was gone for five years.
After ending that crummy marriage, he took a
shot in business.
His career and love life took off like a rocket.
He made bank, remarried.
Mom’s love life, though? Still a train wreck.
So, when the relatives found out Dad got
hitched again, they were all bitter.
Mom? She just sat on the couch, didn’t give a
<
“Aunt Carol, Harry and I? Ancient history.”
“As his ex–wife, I wish him and his new wife
all the best.”
She finally noticed me standing by the door.
“Ashley, home from school?”
“C’mere! Your hair’s a mess, been runnin‘ wild
again, huh? Grab the brush, I’ll fix it.”
She smiled all sweet, like she was the best
mom ever.
I cringed a little.
Wanted to say no.
く
But her eyes made me turn around, head to
my room.
Coming back, most of the relatives had
bailed.
Through the crack in the door, I heard them
gossiping.
“Poor Susan.”
“I know! She married Harry when he was
broke, couldn’t even pay for the wedding.
Now he’s made something of himself, even
built that huge house a few years back. Some
other woman gets to enjoy it. So sad for
Ashley, too!”
:
く
The living room was dead silent.
Like a storm was about to hit.
I trembled, handing Mom the brush, dragging
a stool in front of her, clutching my shirt.
Next second, my scalp felt like it was being
ripped off.
I yelped, “Mom, that hurts!”
She ignored me.
Yanking, pulling, like crazy.
Wouldn’t even try to untangle the knots, just
ripped out clumps of hair.
Г
I cried out again.
Suddenly, a slap from behind, right across my
face.
“What’s with the wailing? It doesn’t even hurt
that bad!”
I didn’t need to look to know Mom’s face was
like thunder.
I bit my lip, shut my mouth.
My hair could get ripped out, I wouldn’t make
a sound.
Until she finally calmed down, chucked the
brush aside.
く
Thought it was over.
Just the beginning.
