The Mirror
by
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He’d come home drunk that night; although, he swore he’d only had a few beers with the boys. When he arrived, Rita was sitting at the kitchen table practicing her spelling words while Hazel finished cleaning up the kitchen. She and Rick had words. Apparently, Rick didn’t like what Hazel said, and he backhanded her, knocking her out cold. Rita couldn’t move. She was terrified. Rick looked down at Hazel, smacked her head into the floor one more time for good measure, and then he turned his attention towards Rita.
“Rita, you come to Daddy you sweet thing.” When Rita didn’t move from her seat, Rick went to her. He bent over and gently took a handful of Rita’s beautiful, long curls into his hands. He stood over her, and as she looked up, he had the most peculiar look on his face. He was shaking, and his eyes were partly closed as he brought the handful of hair to his nose. Rita didn’t understand what he was doing or why he looked that way, and then he made an odd and scary moaning sound.
“You smell so good baby. You smell good enough to eat. Daddy loves you honey. You know that, don’t you? You know I would never hurt you. You be a good girl, nice and quiet, and I won’t hurt your momma anymore, okay?”
Rick picked Rita up gently holding her just like Rita held her baby dolls. “You’re going to come with me now, and you’re not going to make a sound. Do you understand? As long as you don’t make a sound, I promise not to hurt your momma.”
Rita didn’t make a sound, nor did she move, as Rick touched her, licked her, kissed her, and poked her in places she didn’t understand. She would keep secret what Rick did to her for many years to come. Oh, her mother knew what went on that night and most every night after that. Rick kept his word to Rita and never touched Hazel again. After the attack, Hazel realized she was not fond of being brutalized, so it became easier as time went on to ignore what went on between her husband and young daughter. Hazel told herself that soon Rita would be old enough to have her photos sent off to all the famous magazines. The editors would fall in love with Rita. When that day came, both mother and daughter would leave this hellhole and be free. They’d be free from Rick and faraway from
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About the Book
She was born beautiful. She had beautiful shoved down her throat from the time she was a small child. “Beautiful will get you anything you desire. Beautiful will guarantee you a perfect life.” The words echo through her mind as she thinks back to all that’s been lost.
She peers at her reflection in the mirror, only to find a flawless stranger staring back. Rita would give anything to look average, to feel normal. No more stares and jealousy, no more whispering, and no more abuse and grief. You can have beautiful!
“THE MIRROR” will sweep you through the seasons of Rita’s seventy years, and by the end, perhaps cause you to reevaluate your own life.
Long before the final chapter ends the reader will come to realize that beauty indeed comes from within, not from what’s reflected in “THE MIRROR.”
About the Author
The Mirror is Julie Garland’s second published fiction. Her first fiction Taken was finally completed after the
Hopefully you’ll enjoy reading The Mirror as much as Julie enjoyed writing the epic tale. Very different from her first book, Julie warns that her third book Reflections will again show her versatility.
Julie sums her writing up: “Writing is like music. I love all kinds. Cooking is another passion, and I’m known for my creativity and lack of written recipes. So come along and cook with me. Today we feature The Mirror. The flavor is romantic, with a colorful blend of characters, a hint of adventure, and a pinch of tragedy.”
Julie says she’s found her new calling and as long as the book comes out of the oven aromatic and just right, you’ll be hearing from her again and again.
Julie lives in