A Better Mother

Time unravels – it's a fact of life. These words kept resonating in her mind as her stare traced the edges of the expensive AVON blush on marking her cheeks and the CHAMBOR eyeliner that had been applied so precisely…

"Why do you go out with those boys? They are a bad lot! Get inside your room!"

"What the hell do you know you hag-"

"Watch your tongue, I am your mother! What if the gang takes you in an empty parking lot-"

"And what? Rape me?"

"With those vulgar things you wear, yes!"

"This is called brand, woman! You are an old ignorant lady, sewing mufflers for her daughter that she hates to wear; it's pathetic!"

"Is trying to protect you pathetic-"

"Yes it is! I just wish I had a better mother than you"

"A better mother? Better than one who prays for yo-"

"Yea, yea not listening!"

"You think you can do a better job than me the way you are?"

"Much better thank you, but I hope you are not alive to see!"

Mishka's mother went silent. She broke to tears at the final statement, openly wailing as she witnessed through flooded eyes, her daughter's scowl. Finally she took a shaky breath:

"I might not be there Mishka but remember, time unravels – it's a fact of life"…smudged by the tears around widen open eyes, the MAC lipstick smeared across her whole face, giving her a mocking clown look; grinning, while hanging from the rope tied to the fan on one end and to her neck on the other. Her dress too was a mess; the branded mini skirt she was wearing was falling off as if torn by sheer force. Her black corset loosened and tugged on, worn out at places as if thrashed around.

Behind Mishka's daughter's swinging body, ... and on the computer screen was played the video of several boys forcing a girl… Mishka's girl… but all she could hear was…

Can you do a better job… much better… time unravels… for it is a fact of life