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The Letter

Chapter 10

I rolled out of bed, Ricky and Oli were sleeping on the floor at the foot. I walked into the bathroom and took off all of my clothes. My bruises and cuts looked bad, they looked like they haven’t healed at all. I sighed and put my clothes back on.
I made my way down stairs, looking through the cabinets for something to drink. I found my special homemade tea and brewed some. I sat down in the dining room, no one ever really went in there, but today all of the maids were cleaning it.
“Aunty Mara?” I called out.
“What is it darling?” She replied frantically.
“What’s going on?”
“Oh yes, well, every year around this time, for the beginning of winter, we have a dinner party, an extremely fancy one at that, your friends are welcome to come, but they have to dress up, as do you.”
“Yes ma’am, I’ll let them know.”
I walked back into my bedroom and got dressed into a black muscle shirt with white shorts and pink Vans. I grabbed my keys and phone and walked back downstairs, out the front door. I need to find a dress for tonight, I shopped for hours, looking for anything I could, and finally I found it, a black dress, with a lace neckline. It was short, but not too short. I walked into the store and looked at the tag, $1,000. Oh my god, no this is too much. I took out the credit card my aunt gave me, I scanned the dress then the card, dress, card, dress, card. I took the dress off the rack, “Can I try this on?” I asked the worker. She nodded her head and walked over to the dressing room and unlocked it.
I looked in the mirror at my darkening bruises, I let out a sigh and slipped on the dress. It fit perfectly, covered every bruise, every cut, this dress was made for me. I smiled and took it off, and put it back on the hanger. I walked over to the cashier and gave her the dress, she checked it out and I left the store with a beautiful dress in hand.
Now shoes and jewelry, my aunt would have jewelry, so I just had to look for shoes. Before I went looking, I stopped at the food court and grabbed Chick-Fil-A. I called Oli to see if they were up,
“Hello?” He answered.
“Are you up?!” I shouted into the phone.
“Well I am now, what do you need?”
“Ask my aunt for the keys to her Ford Mustang, tell her I told you to. And then, I need you to go to the tux shop with Ricky and get suits, there should be a GPS in the car, find the nearest Men's Warehouse. Please and thank you, I’ll explain later, love you bye!” I hung up quickly and continued eating my sandwich.
I finished my food and began shopping for shoes, I wanted color, not just black shoes, I stepped into this designer shoe place and showed them the dress,
“I need something blue to match with this.” I said, trying very hard to sound professional. “Right this way.” The sales lady cooed. I followed her to the back of the store where all of the stilettoes were. I found the perfect blue pair. I paid for them and left the store.
I was walking back to my car when I was stopped by someone, some little girl, she asked what was wrong with me, (I apparently was limping) I told her I fell down stairs.
“My mommy walks like that after my daddy screams at her.” She said looking kind of sad.
“Oh honey don’t talk to strangers, I’m so sorry.” a lady, I’m guessing the mother, said walking up to the girl.
“Oh no, it’s fine.” I smiled at her, “You stay strong, not just kids need it, adults do too. And you little girl, keep your mommy safe, I know what she’s going through.” I lifted up my shirt so that the little girl could see. She clung onto her mom, her mom flashed me a look of sadness. “Thank you.” The mother said. She handed me a card and walked off with her daughter.
I looked down at the card “Abuse Anonymous Group, Monday-Friday, 6-7 PM. Daycare provided.” This woman was amazing. I smiled and stuck the card in my pocket and walked back to my car. I figured Oli and Ricky were still looking for the suit place, so I had time. I looked at the clock
2:23
I hope I had time.
I opened the door to the house, my aunt was running around frantic, “Aunty Mara!” I shouted, slowing her down.
“What is it dearie? I have stuff to do!”
I got the dress from the bag and held it up, “This. And blue heals.”
She smiled, “Come with me.” I followed her up the stairs and into her room. On her dresser she had a box, she opened it, there was so much jewelry in there I could sell all of it and buy a castle.
“This will go with it.” She said handing me a silver necklace, silver earrings, and some bracelets. “This was your mothers.” She handed me a ring.
“Aunty Mara… This is beautiful.”
She hugged me and then shooed me from her room. I rushed back into my room, it was empty. “Dinner Party 6:00 PM” A note on my freshly made bed read. I rushed into the bathroom and showered. I washed what needed to be washed and shaved what needed to be shaved. I stepped out and wrapped a towel around my hair and put on a thong and a bra.
When I got back into my room I saw Oli and Ricky sitting on the bed, boxes sitting at their feet. I told them to get dress and to sit down in the chairs. I rushed over to Oli and brushed out his hair, it was almost puffy. I giggled a little bit and wet it down. I combed it over to the sides, making him look almost completely different. I told him to put on his suit and then to put on some cologne.
I did Ricky next. Every time he moved I would cringe a little. I pulled his hair back into a ponytail and had him take off his makeup. He looked rich, very rich. He put on his suit and then cologne. I told them to wait in the guest bedroom while I got ready.
I called my aunt through the intercom and told her to let them out first. I slipped on the black dress and the blue heals. I smiled at myself in the mirror. I put on the jewelry and did my hair and makeup. I looked down at the ring on the table, my mother’s ring, my mothers, I picked it up and examined it. I felt a tear stream down my face. No Ashley, this is not time to cry. I slipped it on my right ring finger and waited for my aunt’s word.