Pearl tears

Chapter1

     Pearl was always a very shy girl, preferring to be alone so much that people gave up on trying to talk to her or include her in their groups. Once they gave up on her, they turned on her. She became the outcast, the black sheep, but she didn't care. Their cruel words such as "Pearl makes ya hurl!" and "The mute freak has made an appearance." Along with their actions, throwing things at her, trying to trip her in the halls, even putting gum in her golden hair, just didn't bother her anymore, after she lost her father, nothing they did or said could compare to the hell she was already in. Thankfully, school was over for her. Pearl and her classmates all graduated the day before. Now, she only had to deal with her hell, Most people would call it home. 

     Pearl lost her father to a terrible automobile accident many years ago, that's when everything changed, including her mother. Perhaps it was guilt for sending him to the store for milk, or that she felt cheated by life, but Pearl's mother went from the most caring person to some stranger that beat Pearl every chance she got. It was like she thought every hit on Pearl would stop that eighteen wheeler from running that red light and killing her husband. Pearl didn't know for sure what her mother's reasons were, or why she changed so drastically. The only thing she knew was that she wished that day never happened, or if it had too, that she had been with her father that day. 

     "Pearl, Get in here this instant!" Pearl ran into the kitchen. Her mother stood there, hands on her hips. "Why is this kitchen not cleaned?! Do I need to give you a reminder of what happens when you don't listen and do your chores?" 

     "No Mother. Please don't. I'm s-s-sorry! I was just finishing up the bathroom. I'll get to the kitchen now." Pearl ran over and grabbed a bucket and started filling it with water and cleaner. 

     "Listen up, now," her mother growled. "I'm going to the store to get a few things. When I get back you better have this kitchen done." she leaned in, inches from Pearl's face, with a menacing scowl. "We have a special guest coming to dinner and this place better sparkle! You hear me?"

     Pearl, shaking, looked at her mother with fear in her eyes. 

     "Y-y-yes Mother. I hear you and it'll all be done when you get home." Pearl finished filling the bucket and grabbed a scrub brush from under the Sink. She started scrubbing the cabinets first, watching her mother from the corner of her eye.

     "You see that it is, and remember what will happen if it's not!" Her mother picked up her purse and stomped out, slamming the front door as she went. 

     Pearl sat down, tears streaking her face. Why? Why is mother like this? What have I done to deserve this? I wish daddy was here. She wiped her face, took a deep breath and got up to continue cleaning.

    After what seemed like forever, Pearl finally has the house so clean you could eat off the floors. She looked around to make sure no spots were missed. Satisfied, she headed to the shower, but was stopped by a familiar sound, her mother's car. Ugh, why can't I have five minutes to myself? Pearl sighed deeply and went to the door. What she saw when she walked out stopped her in her tracks, her jaw dropped. Is that my mother?! She looks beautiful. Her golden hair shining, her usually stormy grey eyes were bright and happy. She was wearing a pink sundress that showed more cleavage than a woman should show in Pearl's opinion. Wow, I can't remember the last time I saw her look this beautiful. It's almost as if.. Pearl's thoughts were interrupted by her mother's voice.

     "Pearl, stop staring like an i***t and help me with these bags. I got some steaks and a few things you can use to throw together a salad. Even a nice bottle of wine." Her mother picked up a bag showing that it was a red wine, shaking it at Pearl. "See? Tonight's dinner will be perfect. Now hurry up, grab those bags, we have a lot to get done and time is getting short. Our guest will be arriving in a couple hours.

     "Yes Mother, and may I say you look beautiful." Pearl ran to get the rest of the bags before her mother could reply. Who is this special guest? It must be someone of real importance for mother to get so dressed up. Pearl's thoughts swirled around like bees around a hive, but she just couldn't figure out who it could be. As far as Pearl knew, her mother had no friends, at least, none that she has ever met or heard of. Well, I guess I'm just going to have to wait to find out. I could ask my mother,…. nah that never goes well. Pearl shook her head and finished getting the bags into the house. 

     "Pearl, once you finish putting things away and get dinner started, come to my room. I have a surprise for you and I know you're going to love it," she said happily. "Quickly now," she clapped twice as she added, "chop chop." 

    "Yes Mother, right away." Pearl rushed to do as she was told, but her mind just couldn't grasp all that was happening. Is mother ok? I mean a surprise for me? I haven't had a surprise since my last birthday before daddy died… Something's wrong, it has to be. Mother is acting very weird. I wonder if it has something to do with this special guest who's coming to dinner? Maybe it's not bad news… maybe, just maybe, mother has found a boyfriend.. Nah, that's just crazy!  After Pearl put everything away that she needed to, she started on dinner. She threw herself into her work, if she focused on what she was doing then maybe she could get her mind off of the weirdness of the day for a few moments. She hoped.

     It took Pearl about half an hour to get the salad made, the meat on to cook, and the very expensive looking bottle of red wine on ice. She had the stove set to low for now so the meat wouldn't burn. Ok, it's time to go see what surprise mother has for me. Pearl took a deep breath, checked the stove one last time, and walked to her mother's bedroom. She was excited, yet nervous. She stopped at the door, took another deep breath, and knocked lightly.

     "Come in Pearl." When Pearl opened the door her mother turned to her. "It sure took you long enough" she said, with the all too familiar scowl on her face. That scowling look turned a beautiful woman into something to be feared, and it stopped Pearl at the door.

      "Well, don't just stand there! You've already wasted enough time," her mother grumbled. "Now, I want you to go take a shower and wash up really well. Once you're finished come back in here and I'll give you that surprise." She smiled at Pearl. Pearl just nodded and walked  into the bathroom. 

        What in the hell is going on? Is my mother bipolar, or has she been taken by aliens and they sent this replacement? Pearl laughed, No way! Even aliens wouldn't want to keep her. Must be drugs or something. Pearl turned on the water, testing it's warmth, as she kept laughing about the alien thought. 

     "Pearl Jackson," she heard her mother screech through the door. " I don't know what you find so funny in there and I don't care, but you best hurry up! We don't have all day young lady." 

     "Sorry Mother! I'm hurrying" Pearl yelled back. She quickly undressed and jumped into the shower. It felt good, though Pearl loved soaking in the tub, she knew that wasn't going to happen, so she just grabbed the shampoo and started scrubbing. Once she scrubbed her hair,   she washed her face and down her body. She could still see the bruises from her mother's punishments, some old and almost gone, others were still that purplish-black color. Pearl rushed her shower not wanting to add to the collection already on her body. Her mother made sure that they were never placed where anyone could see them. So her face and lower legs were unblemished. Pearl was usually able to put them out of her mind, but only when she was fully clothed, and they weren't very painful. After so many years of abuse, Pearl had become almost numb to the pain. 

     "Girl, do I need to go in there or are you coming out? No need to dress, just wrap in a towel and get moving." Her mother was getting irritated, Pearl knew by her annoyed tone. She wrapped herself in the towel and walked back into her mother's bedroom. 

     "What is that Mother?" Pearl pointed towards the bed. 

     "What's it look like," She said in a sarcastic tone. "Damn Pearl, if you don't know a dress when you see one you're dumber than I thought." She rolled her eyes. "That's your surprise. Once you're dressed I'll do your make-up and hair." Pearl back and forth from the dress to her mother. "Don't be such an ungrateful brat, go put that dress on NOW!" Pearl rushed to the bed, grabbed the clothes and began to dress. "Good, now I'm going to go check on dinner, then I'll doll you up real nice." Her mother smiled and left. 

     What is all this about? Get me dolled up? She is checking on dinner? It's official she has lost her mind!  Once she finished dressing Pearl looked into the mirror. I hate dresses, but I must admit I do look kind of nice… The dress, a pale pink, complemented Pearl's hourglass figure perfectly. Her ivory skin seemed to glow. I'm not sure how i feel about the neck line going down so far, but at least it's just the top of my bosom showing. 

      "Pearl darling," her mother said, pulling her from her thoughts." I must say I do know how to shop. That dress is perfect! It makes you look like you're worth something." 

     Ouch, that hurt.

     "Ok, now let's get to that rat's nest you call hair. Have you not learned anything from me? People must think you were born in the wild, because I know they can't believe you're my child" she said, grabbing the brush. Pearl hunched down in a protective position out of instinct. "Pearl sit up straight! Posture is important, it shows confidence. I swear you're like your father," she shook her head disapprovingly. "Weakness gets you killed. I've tried to toughen you up, but it seems that you're too stupid." 

     Pearl just sat there, eyeing her mother in the mirror. How can she say that? Daddy was the strongest person I ever knew! A truck killed him, that wasn't caused by his being weak, it was from some jerk not paying attention. Pearl's eyes filled with tears and hatred for her mother. She could hurt Pearl's body as much as she wanted, but she shouldn't speak ill of her father like that… I just want to tell her off so bad! Grrrr! Sadly, Pearl knew she couldn't do it no matter how much she wanted to. The last time her mother only thought Pearl had mouthed off she beat her so bad she could barely walk for a week. No, she would keep her thoughts to herself. 

      Finally her mother was finished with her hair and was now deciding what make-up would best fit Pearl's very light completion.

    "I think," her mother said, picking up a pink and black tube. "We'll just add a touch of this pale rose lipstick, a bit of eyeliner, and mascara. That should finish things up nicely." Her mother nodded in agreement to herself, as she studied Pearl's face.  "Yes, that's it! Presto, you look like an elegant young lady," almost too low for Pearl to hear she added, "now if you could act like one this dinner will pay off well for me." 

    "What mother?" Pearl just had to know if she heard that correctly.

    "Good grief Pearl! Would you open your ears and listen for once? I gave you a compliment," the annoyance in her mother's tone was very clear. "The proper response would be 'Thank you'."

     "I'm sorry Mother, Thank you for such a kind compliment."

     "That's better, but next time, leave out the smartassness. Now, let's get dinner finished up, our guest should be here at any moment." A weird smile came across her mother's face for a brief second, just long enough for Pearl to catch it, before her mother turned and left the bedroom.

     Ok. Something is going on here, mother is acting way crazier than normal. I hope when whomever the guest is finally arrives I'll have some idea of what's going on...  She didn't have long to wait. Just as Pearl rose from the chair to follow her mother the doorbell rang.