The Reincarnation of Olive Davis

"Estoy haciendo esto por nosotras mamá!" (I'm doing this for us mama!) I yelled into the phone. "Ser una puta es solo para tu beneficio" (Being a slut is only for your benefit) She screamed through the other side of the phone. "Nosotras necesitamos el dinero" (We need the money) I cried, tears welling up into my eyes. "Eres una desgracia para el nombre de tu familia!" (You are a disgrace to your family's name) She screamed, her voice breaking at the end. "Mama--" I pulled the phone from against my ears, bringing it down to my eye level, she had hanged up. I brought my hands around my body, the cold wind of the night sparing my skin no mercy, making me shiver. I stumped down the street, heading home from work. "Familia, Familia" I whispered. That's all she seemed to care about, but where was my familia when my papa left us with no money, not a scent and went off to marry a stripper. I know that is the reason she despises my job so much, but this is the only job willing to hire an eighteen year old girl without an education. But I don't understand my mama, she blames me for our father leaving, despises me for trying to get money to put some food on the table. There is no win for me. . . . "Mama?" I called, as I opened the front door and stepped inside, being careful not to break it off the hinges. I squeezed my eyes shot, hugging my body. I brought my hands up slowly to the side of my forehead, then back down to eye level. My thumb slowly circled the liquid on the palm of my hand, I gulped knowing what it was. The blood trailed down my face, making me open my eyes. I stared at the broken glass on the floor, that broke off the wall. "Olive!" My mama shouted, I could feel her intense gaze on me. I avoided eye contact, I knew better than too. "Sí mamá" (Yes mama) I whispered. I anxiously waited in my spot, hearing her getting closer. I gulped the blood from my head falling onto the floor. I knew I would have to clean that later. On reaching me, my mother gripped my wrist, dragging me along harshly, as her back was to me, I finally gathered the courage to look up, she bent a corner and stopped at the bathroom door. "Quítate la ropa ahora" (Remove your clothes now) She ordered and left. I sighed, it was best not to argue with her. I stepped inside the bathroom, inching closer to the bathtub. I raised an eyebrow, staring a the filled bathtub. The moment my fingers touched the water I pulled it back. The water was freezing cold. I flinched hearing my mama's clicking heals getting closer to the door. I hastily started to remove my clothes, stripping down naked. I wrapped my arms around my body, the moment my mama walked in, she wore a scorn full expression which did no good for my self esteem. "Entra" (Get in) She said while pointing at the bathtub. "Pero mamá hace frío" (But mama it's cold) I said slowly, keeping my voice as flat as possible. She raised an eyebrow "Te atreves a desafiarme" (You dare defy me) She said angrily, in a tone I didn't favour. "No mama-- " (No mama I'm--) My words got caught in my throat, my face turning left as her hand came crashing down on my right cheek. My lips tasted my salty tears, she wrapped my hair into her hands pulling me closer to her. "Entra" she said, the venom dripping off her tongue, just in the place of words. I nodded as she released me. I bit my lip as I stepped into the tub, the cold water slicing my skin like knives, I slowly slid down, more tears rushing down my eyes as the water surrounded my body, biting on my skin, nothing has ever spared me mercy. Feeling liquid being dumped onto my head, I shut my eyes. I felt my mama's hand push away my hair. "Mamá que eres you-- Ahhhh" (Mama what are you--) I screamed. I didn't know what it was, but something rough, with sharp ends rubbed against my skin harshly. "¡Cállate!" (Shut up!) she screamed and continued to wash my back. I sniffled quietly, I could feel the fresh wound marks opening. The sight of my blood in the bathtub made me close back my eyes. I felt the water moving as my mama repeatedly dipped into it My head was pushed under the water, taking me by surprise, air bubbles surrounded my side, as I swallowed up the water. Then I was yanked out, making me gasp for air. "Sucio puta!" (Filthy slut!) She screamed into my ears. I flinched unable to move away, my whole body trembled. I wanted an escape, tears rushed down my eyes, why didn't I die. She pushed me back under the water. I couldn't help but think if she left me long enough, I'll finally die, then maybe my guilt would wash away, maybe I wouldn't be stuck with this burden. Unfortunately for me she pulled me out, was this my life now? So close to death yet so far? Knowing an escape but refusing to open the door. . . . I stumbled into my room, I pushed the door close and slid onto the floor. I hugged my naked my body, my back hunched over as my head rested on my knees, my thighs tucked close to my breast, my hands circling my legs. I could feel the stinging sensation from my back, it almost made the pounding headache seem like child's play. "Te odio papa" (I hate you papa) I sobbed into my knees. I blamed him, I blamed all of this on him. It was his fault, he did this to me, he did all of this. If he didn't leave me, maybe I would have had a normal childhood, maybe I would have had a mother, maybe I wouldn't have been knocking on death's door every night. Maybe, just maybe... maybe I could have looked at myself and say you're beautiful without lying. . . . Author's Note Sorry for the short chapter!