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Chapter 14: Mommy Dearest

So, here we are, the part of the story I know you’ve all been dying to hear about since the moment I first mentioned it, the day of the fucking ball. I gotta tell ya, after the crazy morning I had, I was beginning to believe in my own fairy tale. Maybe Cinderella was more than just my fucking name after all. I mean come on, after 28 years Hal had to pick today of all days to show up? Seriously! What the hell?

It seemed as if things were perfect and noting was going to spoil my mood. First Leigh and I went to a salon and had our hair done up. They pulled my hair back in some sort of twisty thingy and then they spent like an hour curling all the ends that hung from the top into springy little ringlets. They sprayed my bangs up into this little poof on the top of my head and placed a small tiara over it where a regular girl might wear a headband. “A crown?” I asked sarcastically when Leighanne adjusted it to where she thought looked best.

Leighanne responded with the usual giggle and then said, “I figured since you never got to wear one at your prom.” I rolled my eyes at her but she winked, “You know you would have won if you’d have gone.”

I attempted a dirty look at her reflection in the mirror but simply couldn’t hold it. I looked at the jewelry now pinned to my head and cracked a smile. “You’re god damned right I would have.” I replied sending us both into a laughing frenzy.

Next on the list was a gown. Leighanne took me to some store I still can’t pronounce and they “fitted” me for a dress. Now that was a process, God! The shopping we did the time before, at the mall? I’ll admit that was fun, but this? I’m not so sure I could get used to it. People standing all around me pulling and tucking and pinching and poking… I never knew sales ladies were so aggressive. One woman even adjusted my fucking boobs for me. Just reached up and gave ‘em a nice little push. Shit, I ain’t been felt up like that in my whole life. Anyway, despite the somewhat unpleasant process, the end result blew my mind.

Never in my entire life could I have imagined a dress could do all that. I stared at myself in the mirror and I’ll be damned if I didn’t look fucking gorgeous. The dress was shiny cream-colored material that had a dangerously low cut v-neck and gathered in this classy looking knot just below my boobs. Then there was a strand of diamond looking gems that flowed from the knot down around my waist as if they were a belt and from there, the gown dropped gracefully to the floor. It had no sleeves or back just thick straps that were covered with the same stones that rested around my waist.

It was actually quite sparkly and yet still looked very soft if that makes any sense. I stared at the masterpiece in total awe and felt like a million bucks. God only knows how much I was actually worth at that point. Leighanne stood behind me staring over my shoulder, even she was speechless. “How do you feel?” she finally asked with a twinkle in her eyes.

“Like a fucking princess.” I breathed.

Leighanne just smiled proudly and then suggested we head back to her house to get Brian. She only said Brian but I was dying to know if his friends were going to be waiting there as well. I didn’t have to ask though because right after that she told me that the other guys were going to meet us there. I was a little disappointed but at the same time a little relieved. I couldn’t help but feel a little nervous about this whole thing and I didn’t need that bastard of a blonde making things that much worse.

Before we reached the house we stopped at the market to pick up some dinner for Baylee. Leighanne said she always felt bad making a sitter cook. Just a quick stop was all, but on our way out we had to run into that ass hole Pete. “Holy shit Princess.” He laughed as his breathing began to get heavy.

I watched his creepy stare drift to Leighanne and my heart began to race. That poor woman didn’t deserve to be subjected to his particular brand of torture. “Who’s this pretty little thing?” he said reaching his hand out toward her.

I quickly stepped protectively in front of Leighanne. I wasn’t about to let that pervert anywhere near her. “Lay one finger on her and you won’t be able to get up this time.”

Pete laughed but I could tell my threat angered him. He took a step back and his eyes narrowed. I tried to walk around him dragging Leighanne close behind me but Pete stepped in front of me. “You’re daddy was right.” He said, “You and that drunk bitch mamma of yours got it commin.”

“Is that so?”

“One of these days we’re gonna come for ya only I ain’t gonna be so nice as Hank. Oh no darlin’ you and I are gonna have some fun before I kill ya.”

Normally I wouldn’t take so kindly to such talk but I felt Leighane’s grip tighten on my hand and decided to control my temper. She looked scared and I knew Pete was enjoying it. Again I took her by the hand and safely led her away from Pete. “Ignore him Leigh, that bastard’s all talk.” I said.

“We’ll just see about that.” Pete laughed as we walked away. “You ladies have fun at your party tonight. Sure hope you tell your momma goodbye before you go.”

It took all the strength I had not to say anything. Once we were safely in the car Leighanne took what must have been her first breath in five minutes. She turned the keys in the ignition but sat there a minute letting her shaking hands rest on the wheel. She was real shook up and I felt like shit for dragging her into this mess. I just wanted to reassure her over and over again that he was just pissed off and full of shit, but there was something in his voice that made me nervous. I couldn’t believe the bastard got to me, but he did. I was scared. “Do you mind if we stop back at my house one more time before we go?” I asked.

Leighanne had already regained her composure and forced a smile when she nodded. We made the short drive back to my house and I practically ran inside half expecting to find my mother dead. I let out a sigh when I found her resting peacefully on the couch. I laughed at myself for giving in to that fucking pervert’s ranting. Still, I couldn’t shake the ugly feeling in my heart and I decided to wake her up. “Hey momma?” I whispered.

“Who the fuck’s there?” she grumbled as she sat up.

She was about to curse up a storm until her eyes fell upon me. Her mouth dropped open and she just stared at me. We stood there in silence and Leighanne slowly stepped through the door behind me. Mom glanced at her and then her eyes fixed themselves back on me. I watched amazed as my mother’s eyes filled with tears. “Mom?”

“My God Cinderella!” she finally gasped, “I always knew you were meant to be a princess.”

Now it was my turn to be speechless. It was the nicest thing she’d ever said to me. Not once in my life had she ever complimented me on anything. In fact she’d always been my harshest critic. I never knew till that moment how much a few kind words could mean. Tears stung my eyes as I broke into a smile.

It was nice but at the same time it was quite the awkward moment between us. After all these years we didn’t know how to be kind to one another, we barley knew how to be civil. I did the only thing I knew how to do and changed to a subject I knew would kill the moment. “Dad hasn’t been by today has he?”

“What the hell made you think of that fucker?” mom said instantly reverting back to the woman I know so well.

“Oh it’s nothing. Just something Pete said.”

“That fucking pervert’s still hanging around with your father?”

Glad to see I’m not the only one to think so highly of that man. I had to smirk. I looked at my mom and couldn’t help but think how helpless she seemed at times. The thought of her all alone here while my father and Pete the Pervert did God know what to her was unsettling. “Maybe I should stay home tonight.” I sighed.

“I would understand.” Leighanne whispered.

Mom looked at the two of us and then frowned. “Don’t be such an ass Cinderella. Of coarse you’re going tonight. I won’t have you miss your big night because of your father. That man’s done enough damage.”

“Gee mom, I didn’t realize you cared.”

That came out really harsh and bitter sounding. I felt bad the minute I said it. I didn’t mean to say, I guess I was still having a hard time seeing my mom act like a decent human being. “Sorry.” I offered but didn’t think it would do any good.

“No, you’re right.” Mom said making my jaw once again hit the floor. “I’m a fucking shitty mom, but damnit Cinderella, I never wanted this for you. I never wanted this for me either. I’m trapped, but you! You found a fucking way out, you’ve gotta take it.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Leighanne told me about that boy. She said he’s crazy about you.”

I glanced back at Leighanne and she blushed but shrugged with a guilty smile. “If he’s really as sweet as she says he is then god damnit, go for it. Don’t let me hold you back.”

I won’t take the time again to tell you how shocked I was. I’m sure you get it by now but my mom was pleading with me now. She walked right up to me and took hold of my hand and smiled. “You go to that ball tonight and you get your prince.” She said.

I never thought I’d see the day but it was a real mother daughter moment. I hugged her tightly and when I felt her arms around me it was like we were back at the lake together, a million miles form all this shit and I started to fucking cry again. “Ok mom.” I said and my voice shook as I struggled with my emotions.

Forget awkward moments, I just couldn’t let go of my mom. Finally when I pulled away she smiled and said four words I’ve wanted to hear my whole life but had long since given up hope. “I love you Cinderella.” She said fighting back the tears as much as I was. “You go. Have fun. And don’t you worry about me.”

Her words brought me back to the present and I remembered the reason for coming home in the first place. “Why don’t you go hang out at the bar or something tonight? I’m sure Hal wouldn’t mind. I’d feel a lot better if you weren’t alone.”

Mom waved me off with a laugh. “Don’t be silly.” She said, “I’m not going to run from him. He’s not going to force me from my own home.”

There was a tone in my mother’s voice that I knew all too well and I knew there would be no convincing her otherwise. “Here.” Leighanne interrupted. She fumbled through a pile of junk on the counter and found a pen. She scribbled a number on a piece of paper and stuck it on the fridge. “That’s my cell phone number. I’ll have it with me tonight so if you need anything at all, just call, no matter what time, ok?”

Mom nodded and I guessed that was better than nothing. If he comes here tonight you call me. Don’t hesitate. And no matter what, don’t let him in. Keep this door locked.”

Mom smiled at me calming my nerves a little. “Cinderella, just go.” She hugged me again and then Leighanne hugger her as well. “You girls have a great time.” She said and then shooed us out the door.

“And you said your mom was mean.” Leighanne teased as we drove to her house.

I threw my hands in the air as a complete loss for words and she laughed. “Maybe it’s a sign.” She giggled, “Maybe tonight is going to be the best night of your life.”

“God Leighanne, at this point, I’d fucking believe it.”

Leighanne’s face lit up. “Good.” was all she said in reply.

A few minutes later we were walking through the front door of Leighanne’s dream like home. I laughed when I heard Brian’s voice call from upstairs. “Leigh, honey? Cindy? Is that you guys?”

“Are you ready to go?” she answered back. “You can’t be late to your own function.”

Brian appeared at the top of the stairs still struggling with his tie. He stopped when he saw his wife. They’d been married for over six years and the man still looked at her as if he’d never seen anything so beautiful in all his life. Leighanne walked up the stairs laughing at her husband and began to fix his tie. “After all these years you still can’t do this on your own.”

“Maybe I just like having you do it for me.” Brian teased.

“Maybe you’re just a big baby.”

“Maybe.” Brian replied pulling his wife into his arms. “And maybe you’re just so beautiful I can’t help it.”

I watched Brian kiss his wife and realized that what they had wasn’t gross or stupid. It may have still been a little cheesy but it wasn’t making me sick. I actually found myself wishing I had that with someone. I closed my eyes and saw Howie leaning over me again, whispering my name softly and then I could practically feel his lips on mine.

I shook off my daydream as Brian and Leighanne made their way back down the stairs. Brian smiled and then threw his arms around me. He kissed my cheek and then took another second to look me over. “Absolutely stunning.” He said.

I blushed and I knew that would not be the last time I did that this evening. “I’m glad you came.” He added and then ran off to give last minute instructions to the babysitter.

Leighanne and Brian said goodbye to their son just as the doorbell rang. “Perfect timing.” Brian said.

Leighanne smiled at me and said, “That’s the car. You ready?”

I had so many butterflies in my stomach. “The car?” I asked.

Leighanne opened the door and there was a huge limo waiting outside. Shit, I’d only ever seen one of those damn things in the movies but it looked even bigger sitting there in front of me. The driver opened the door and helped us into the car. Brian and Leighanne sat across from me watching me gaze at all the different buttons and things. A fucking TV and a mini bar? They both snickered but I couldn’t help it. “Shit you guys. This things fucking enormous.”

Brian grinned. “I tried to find a pumpkin big enough but it seems I’ve misplaced my magic wand.” He laughed.

“I’m gonna have to hear those stupid wisecracks all night aren’t I?”

“Hey, it’s not every day we get to be fairy godparents.” Leighanne laughed.

“Look at the bright side,” Brian added, “We’re not giving you a twelve o’clock curfew. You can stay out as long as you’d like tonight.”

“All night even.” Leighanne said with a wicked grin. “If you wanted to, I don’t know go out with a certain someone after.”

I couldn’t believe she said that. I felt my cheeks flush again and Brian giggled along with his wife. “Howie’s a really good guy. I’m really excited for you guys.”

Forget red, I must have turned a deep fucking purple. If they kept this up tonight was going to be a long night.