Chapter Six-Hers
The dress fitting later that week was a nightmare. Mother paraded me around the store so many times I got dizzy, only then making me try on almost every item there. I felt sick by the end of it. I avoided the pity found in the two shop employees' eyes each time my mother scolded and belittled my apparent flaws. I overheard one girl mutter something along the lines of the poor girl, she is so pretty, but her mom is a bitch. In the dressing room, I tried on another dress. It had been a white 50s-style cut with cupped sleeves and pockets. I stared at myself, loving the look of my curves in all the right places. The soft velvet material of the dress was raised into a pattern of branches and leaves, giving it the appearance of a lace trim around the hem. I turned slightly and marveled at the deep v opening, which ended in a bow at the base of my back.
I clutched the bag now, afraid Mother would still change her mind because I had caused a scene begging to purchase this dress. It felt special. Something about how I felt and looked in this dress pulled at the me buried so deep in myself that it was starting to become translucent. It wasn't as fancy as the two other dresses Mother made me purchase; however, I could wear it whenever. Well, whenever the bruises on my arm healed fully.
"Honestly! I was so embarrassed by your behavior. Are you a child?? Twenty-four years old and still carrying on like a toddler. I swear, I should have beaten you more, but that softhearted brute would always interfere. Babying, spoiling, and ruining you for the rest of your life." Mother's voice was like nails to a chalkboard. My entire head pounded with every syllable, and my anger flashed at the mention of my dad.
I knew arguing with her about my age was useless, but I couldn't stop the words as they whipped out of my mouth, "Don't talk about him like that."
Mother froze, her cheeks bursting with red, "I'll talk about my late husband however I deem fit. He was a mistake that snowballed into an avalanche of mistakes, and I spit on his grave!"
"He was a good father an—"The sting of my mother's hand across my cheek interrupted any further argument. The side of my face had slammed into the seat of the car.
"Ungrateful mutt!" She screeched, then straightened herself out. When her hand finished fixing her hair, she noted a broken fingernail, "Look what you caused to happen. I will not be perfect when meeting with Bernie and her son today!"
I held my cheek gently, forcing back any tears, and remained silent as the car pulled up to the upscale restaurant. Mother stared at me for a moment before leaving the car she stated dryly, "Now, make yourself presentable, then follow me inside."
I remained in the car for a few breaths before pulling a mirror out of my small bag and double-checking that my cheek was not red. I gently hung up the dress on the hook and left the vehicle. When inside, the hostess escorted me to a table toward the back; I saw my mother and looked toward Bernie next to her. Both women had sly, poised smiles plastered on their faces and were laughing at something the man in front of them said.
"Oh! There is your daughter!" Bernie announced, her expression barely moving to match her tone. I bowed slightly, not sure if that was correct social etiquette, but it felt like the right thing to do. I followed her hand toward the man sitting across from them, his back toward me. As he turned, his sneer sent a sickening shiver down my back. He stood, and his brown eyes stared at me with predatory darkness. "This is my son, Chad. He is excited to be your date to the club's social event."
Chad's grin grew wider as he took my hand and brought it up to his lips, "Yes, absolutely delighted."
I gagged as his lips touched my hand and covered my mouth with my free hand, "I apologize to you all; however, I am suddenly sick and need to leave immediately."
Despite my mother's protests, I ran out of the restaurant and headed down the street. I was in a daze, and I needed to escape Chad. He had known all along that this would happen, and that's why he came to the store. Had Mother planned this meeting knowing Chad had been creeping on me? Did she envision me dating this man? I leaned up against a building and felt the contents of my stomach project onto the wall and sidewalk. Mother would force me to be with that man if she had her way. I'd dutifully marry him, birth his children, and fade into the tragic background of a parade of mistresses. I vomited, again and again, until I was dry heaving.
Suddenly, a hand was on my back. It was firm and radiated warmth. I lifted my head quickly, my eyes meeting the familiar intense gaze of the man outside Micheal's place. I was so grateful it was not Chad or Mother. I stared at him, memorized by how handsome his features were. Was it even possible to have such perfect cheekbones and such kissable bowed lips? He returned my gaze with concern and slowly pulled out a handkerchief, "Are you okay?"
I reached for the cloth, missing it somewhat. It was like an electric current pulsed thought my skin when out hands touched. I yanked my hand back in surprise and saw the man looked as surprised as i was. He stared down at the hanker chef.
"I'm fine. I just encountered something extremely unpleasant." I wrapped my arms around my waist trying to protect myself from the image of Chad kissing my hand. The stranger seemed to snap out of his thoughts and looked at me. His grey eyes surveyed me and I went weak-kneed when his lips quirked up.
"Alright." He drawled, then held up his hands in a wait gesture. "Wait here, please, I'll grab you something."
Before I could protest he jogged down the street and entered a shop. I heaved a sigh and leaned against the wall. my stomach cramped and my head hurt from vomiting. so much. I'm sure I looked horrible and smelled just as bad. I ran my hands down my face. then suddenly felt something cold against my forehead. The man was holding a water bottle in front of me. I touched the cooling pad stuck to my forehead and let the sensation ease the nausea.
The man ducked his head, "It's still sealed so if you want to drink the water make sure to start sipping slowly."
I took the water from him, sipping it as instructed before closing the lid again. The cool liquid soothed my sore throat and settled my stomach slightly. I bite my lip, removing the cool compress and felt a little stupid to be so touched by a strangers kindness. "Thank you. I feel a little better."
He nodded, shoving his hands in the pockets of his dress pants, "Good. Do you--"
The stranger did not get to finish his sentence as my mother grabbed my arm so hard I dropped the water bottle and compress and yanked me down the street. The man yelled out something, Mother ignored the man as she tugged me toward the car. I looked at him with a smile to let him know it was okay; however, his eyes took in and analyzed the whole scene. Mother continued to chastise me before shoving me into a waiting car. I barely listened as I couldn't take my eyes off the man even as we pulled out onto the street.
My mother stopped to breathe, and I quickly said, "I will never go on a date with Chad. He is a creep; no matter what you do, I will not go out with him. Find someone else to marry me off to."
Mother's face grew into an eery scowl, and she became calm, "You will do as you are told, or we will have a conversation with Dr. Cunningham."