Farewell Yesterday

Farewell Yesterday

by Ashley Banks


For a moment, she closed her eyes, her arms gripped to the counter and her body thrown over the sink. The mirror dully reflected her limp form, and the dinky bathroom wallpaper stood out starkly in the dim lighting. It was a dark blue, almost black, torn at the corners as if it had been scratched, and just didn't have the 'bright' feeling a new wallpaper would normally have. Nonetheless, it was the brightest thing in the room. She heaved in a deep breath, her wavy, brown hair falling flat against her shoulders and head. Then, she collapsed into the sink, and a sharp, almost desperate sound came from her lips.

Another form came into the mirror's view. He looked like a man who was in his fifties and had dark, ratty hair that stood up in odd places. His eyes were wide, as if he had just realized something important, yet his smile never faltered, and it spread across his face greedily. He walked up behind her slowly. She took another deep breath, as though never seeming to hear him come up from behind her. As he touched her lightly on the shoulder, she never jumped, nor did she regard the man at all. He began to rub her shoulder. It was a gentle touch at first, but it rapidly became more forceful. The girl still didn't seem to notice. But by this time, she had lifted herself into a right position, her arms still glued to the counter. He gripped her shoulders with both hands, sliding his fingers along her arms, and finally, grasped her around the waist. He stuffed his nose into the side of her neck and kissed the spot there. She heaved in another sigh.

A young woman came into the view this time. But both of the forms never moved. She had curly blonde hair and a slim, short form. The make-up on her face looked like bright paste, or maybe like a child had used his paints against her - basically, what the stereotypes would call 'white trash'. She clapped the lid to the toilet seat down with a thud, and fell seated on its top, her legs crossed. She pulled a cigarette off the counter, lit it with one of the matches, and took it in with a deep breath. She kept her eyes on the two forms with interest.

The man had now traveled his hands back up to the girl's neck, massaging. He kissed her cheek this time, slowly. Without warning though, he threw her to the ground. The young woman still watched, her eyes twinkling. The man stood beside the girl, kicking her once in the side, and then got down on his knees. The girl had rolled into a ball, clutching her knees to her chest.. He kissed her fully on the lips, despite her protests.

The man now looked at the young woman in the room. He nodded to her and spoke, his voice rough. "What do you think, Mel? Good?" he teased.

She laughed.. "Mmhmm. Vrey good."

"I think we're finally gettin' somewhere. What do you think?" he said, and then looked down to the girl.

She was crying. He slapped her, but she continued. He looked at the woman again.

"Oh, I'm almost positive we will, Al." Mel agreed.

Al got on top of the girl, pulling her arms up above her head. She cried out again, stuggling. She pulled one hand free for a moment, giving her time to hit him once in the chest, but he caught her hand easily.

"Fiesy, isn't she?" he laughed.

He kissed her again, and then made his way down her neck. She had stopped crying by now. She lay there stiffly, expression blank. He traveled back up her neck, and looked her in the eyes.

"You can't pretend, Gina," he said.

GIna's expression faltered, and for a second, she looked outraged. "There's nothing you can do, hun."

She started struggling more forefully. "Stop!" she cried out, screwing her eyes shut as Mel joined Al by his side on the floor.

The girl opened her eyes, and looked at the mirror again. Behind her, the wallpaper stood dimly, silent and unnerving. She turned the "cold" knob on the faucet of the sink, pulled the water in her hands, and then splashed her face. She did this three more times, before turning off the water and looking back into the mirror.

It's time to forget, Gina, she thought, Or he will have won. Don't punish yourself, like he punished you. She nodded her head once at her reflection, opened the door, and walked away.