Women And the Demons Who Love Them

Scar Tissue-2

Green Day-Boulevard of Broken Dreams 

    High school had been a f*****g drag. Especially when I had been the overweight, brainiac, allergic to pretty much everything, glasses-wearing, and of course brace face dork. Not very original and definitely not very uncommon. The worst thing about showing up day in and day out was the guy who made s**t worse. The ass hole that thought high school was f*****g great. The kid who thought life would always be that way. The punk mother fucker that made those four years the worst kind of embarrassment there is. He was the worst. At least it felt like that then.

    College, however, was my time to shine. Over the summer right before going off to a completely different state in a town where the fatty no longer existed and the new girl took pride in her appearance and looks refined. I lost fifty-eight pounds. I should have done it sooner. Now that my undergrad program is up, my parents asked me to come home. They want me to take a year off since I am a little ahead of schedule. I have to go back. I have to help my parents out. They're struggling to maintain their appearance and somehow they think no neck Katheryn will help them stabilize their situation.

    So, here I am driving into the city limits with anxiety creeping into my system. Audrey seemed to want to stay back at Berkley and no neck Kathryn was starting to resurface. Suddenly coming here was not a very bright idea. I could just get another job and send my parents the extra money. They had been so bent on bringing me back though and dammit I missed them both so much. They may not be the ideal parents, but they are mine and I love them.

    Last year had been a great year for me. I started work at a private academy as a counselor for teens that come from troubled homes, foster care, and are or were bullied. I had chosen this particular career because, well, I had always wanted someone I could talk to when I was younger someone who could understand and give me some guidance away from all the laughter, the cruel jokes others had inflicted on me without any sense, and the self-esteem issues. 

    So naturally, I transferred here so that I can gain some public school experience. My guidance counselor thought it was a good idea so when I go back to get my Ph.D. When I did get my doctrine it would be easier to find a job in the bigger cities.

    My dad is a cop and my mom is a cardiologist. So, as an ode to them, I took to trying to save lives. They didn't have a lot of spare time and today just so happens to be a town holiday. The mayor and his wife throw an annual party for the next generation of adults. They are handed the key to the city to the most prestigious graduate and since I graduated this year I'm nominated and have to be there.

    My mom had wanted me to come since I got my Associates's degree in Public Communications and then every degree after that. This year there was a certain desperation in her voice when she asked me to come home. Something is definitely up with her and my dad. She hasn't talked to me, except for the brief demands.

    Before now, every time I called they were both home and excited about my calls and now one or the other picked up the phone. My dad was brief and my mom was always emotional. I'm just glad that this s**t hadn't happened when I lived with them. I wouldn't have been able to cope with it.

    The town square is alive. I had loved these occasions when I was a little girl. As a teen, I had avoided them like the plague. My fellow classmates had made it difficult for me to enjoy anything other than my monster movies and the inside of my room. I hate this place, but my mom needs me here. So, I am making the exception.

    I parked my jeep and got out. It all came back to me as if I had never left. My fitted business attire now makes me feel a little insecure. College had been my rise in everything. I learned social skills, I learned how the psych worked and manipulated my way through social activities, groups, and I finally started to become someone worthy of all that I had dreamed of as a kid. In the midst of all of that, I became me and I began to live.

    I had given my kids at the academy so much advice and I had believed in it as I watched them become less awkward and more social. My little butterflies. Right now though, the pain I had to endure came back in a painful glimpse of the pathetic girl I used to know.

    My dad is my first encounter, thank the universe. I snuck up behind him and covered his eyes. His hands shot to mine and he started to laugh. I missed him. Despite the fact that he was always busy he had always made time for me, taught me how to ride a bike, helped me with homework, and he taught me everything I know about cars. I love this guy.

    "There's my little princess," he said turning to face me. After six years the man has aged. "Katheryn?"

    "Hi daddy," I laughed as he pulled me into a tight hug.

    "Oh my, lord. Baby, you look amazing. What happened to my little tuba lump kins?" 

My face heated up the blush creeping up over my face.

    "I smothered her in her sleep one day," I joked. "I missed you so much," 

    "I'm glad you're here, baby girl. Your mom is over by the stage," he said pointing in her direction.

    "Alright I'll see you later officer Holloway," he smiled as I walked away.

    As soon as my mom laid eyes on me she squealed and ran towards me. Her body collided against mine making me stagger back. She held me, rocking me side to side. Mom had seen me a few times after I had left. She had come to visit me several times throughout the six years that I was gone. Dad hadn't had the time. During each visit, she had told me that everything was fine. Now being here I know she had lied.

    "Hey momma," I said.

    "You look amazing. I love this. How was the drive? I bet you're exhausted,"

    "I actually made a few stops on my way here. You don't drive directly when you go from one side of the country to the other," especially when you don't want to get there, I wanted to add. She laughed.

    "You stayed in Harrisburg didn't you?" she smiled and I nodded. "You're getting the key to the city,"

    "What?" I asked surprised.

    "They have been trying to get you here for years you're the most successful candidate since I was given the key and you don't even have your Ph.D. yet," she chuckled. "How'd you get so smart?"

    "I get it from my momma of course," I grinned. This is the first time I've seen her this excited in a long time.

    "I know you don't want to be here, baby. Thank you for coming. I know they don't deserve it, but be nice, yeah? If you have nothing nice to say then just take your prize and walk away," it sounds like a warning. 

I smiled at her and gave her a nod.

    "Best behavior," I swore.

    I sat where she told me and started a game of Madden on my phone. The ceremony started without me. As the mayor's wife went up on stage my mother sat next to me and took my phone from my hands, making me pay attention to the woman on the stage. She spat a bunch of bullshit about me as a kid before she called on me.

    My heart began to beat wildly in my chest as everyone began to look around trying to find no neck, Katheryn. Several gasps turned into whispers when I stood up and began to make my way up to the stage and over to the podium. I looked over the crowd and recognized several of my old classmates. I smiled at Mrs. Maxion as she looked me over with her mouth slightly open.

    "Katheryn, it is custom to state your name and name your degree of course along with your name," she whispered nervously. She handed me the golden key and stepped away from the podium. So much for just walking away. 

    "Good Evening, everyone. My name is Katheryn Audrey Holloway. I have a few degrees actually. I have an associates degree in public communications, a bachelor's in the art of psychology as well as a master's, a bachelor's and master's degree in creative writing, and a bachelor's in business. I hope this year Princeton finds me worthy," I looked down at the key in my hands and tried really hard not to laugh. This is a f*****g joke. "Umm thank you for this it means a lot,"

    As everyone began to clap my mom shook her head in disapproval of the sarcastic tone I used at the end. She smacked my arm as she hugged me and all I could do is laugh and smile as they all took pictures of me. I handed her the golden key and she handed me a plate with a burger and fries on it. I popped a fry into my mouth and sat by myself as my mom helped clean up. Lots of the girls that had pushed me around walked by giving me glares. I ate alone with a smirk on my lips. Once a loner always a loner. But hey, I got the key to the city.