The Sleeping Beauty

Momma came in excited and full of life. Bobby Ray's mother was going to set up a makeup booth in a vocational school in town. Bobby Ray talked her into using momma as a model for the makeover section.

Momma was beaming. "Things are finally going good for us, Cadance. I can feel it! Maybe as a model I'll finally make enough money to get a lawyer and sue your father for child support. That'll show him!"

So, Momma was going to be a model. "I'm going to be big time again, Cadance. Bobby Ray's got me a big interview and dance audition lined up tonight. I'll go wow them with my dance skills and pretty soon I'll be famous again. Just think of it, Cadance."

I thought of it and wasn't sure I liked the idea. How could an unemployed bum have connections?

"Momma don't you think Slim is lying? How could he know all these important people?"

"Cadance! Bobby Ray would never lie to me! His friend has one of the most successful dance halls in the town! And he owns a modeling agency! Big timers go there to pick out beautiful women for magazine ads and commercials. When they see how talented I am and how well I dance there won't be an agency in Virginia that would say no to me!"

I wondered how Momma planned to be successful in plain, old Dulles, Virginia.

"In 2 years I'll be back on television and living in New York. And I can't wait to see London again! European men are so charming and rich and, who knows, maybe I'll meet someone important."

"Cadance, just think if your momma was a countess or a duchess or… a princess! It almost happened once. There was a wealthy Earl who wanted to marry me but I…well, things could have been different. Just imagine if you were the daughter of Earl and Lady Lawrence! The dances, and parties, and teas!"

"But all that is past. It's the future that matters now. And in the future I will be rich and famous again. And this time if a rich man wants to marry me I'll accept no matter what. Now what costume do you think I should wear to my audition?"

"The Sleeping Beauty, it's your prettiest costume and you dance it so well."

"Yes, yes I do. Sleeping Beauty has always been my favorite. It's so sad and sweet. She was so beautiful, but cursed. My life is a little like hers. I remember one night when I was fifteen I was dancing on stage alone at school after everyone was gone. My prince came up and caught me. It took me by surprise; I didn't even hear him come in."

"I lost my virginity when I was 15 listening to Sleeping Beauty. He made me feel so beautiful. He kissed me and then…" She broke out of her reverie.

"Well don't start getting any ideas little missy. I haven't said anything but Bobby Ray told me he's concerned about you. He said he saw you kissing a boy and then…" Her lips trembled and her voice cracked. "He said you offered to do things for him if he didn't tell on you. He said you were lying naked in my bed, waiting for him. Did you really think he wouldn't tell me, Cadance?"

"Momma, none of that is true. I did kiss a boy but I'm 16 and"

"Yes, yes you are." She scrutinized me as if seeing me for the first time and sizing up a rival. "Yes, I didn't see it before but you've grown. Your at that age where a girl has longings for men."

No, that's not..."

"You keep your clothes on and stay away from my Bobby Ray. I know how young girls like you get urges but your not gonna ruin things for me. If you piss him off he wont want to spend his time on making me a star. Then I'd have to kiss my chances goodbye and I just won't do it. So you just behave yourself missy." She pushed me out of her room and slammed the door.

When I came out Bobby Ray was pinching Momma's butt and crooning, "Is my little star ready to make her debut? If you make the owner happy he'll put you in one of his shows. He might even hire you on permanently."

Momma smiled at her reflection in the mirror. Her costume was twenty years old and she had gained as many pounds. The leotard pulled at the groin and breasts. From the side you could notice a small pouch around her belly. She saw me watching her and glared. "You just keep them legs closed, you hear?" Slim leered at me and followed her out.