Chapter Two:
Flashback Begin
"Olivia," her mother yelled from the living area of the house.
"Yes Mama," the ever obedient child replied.
"You forgot to do the laundry. My shirt is still dirty." Her mother stated angrily.
"No Mama," the little girl replied, a little afraid of contradicting her viscious mother. "You wore that shirt today, so I couldn't put it in the laundry. You have another shirt like that one, do you want that one?"
"No, you little bitch. I want this one." The woman suddenly pouted, "I want this one Livvie."
"Yes Mama." The girl responded, taking the shirt off her mother and heading into the laundry, "It will be finished in an hour."
"But I need it in 15 minutes." Her mother said, walked predatorily over to her.
"But Mama, it takes an hour for the washing machine to do it and for it to dry."
"You stupid girl," her mother yelled, as many blows were once again rained upon her small frame. The little girl rolled on her side, attempting to protect herself from the pain.
After what seemed like forever, Serena stopped and got dressed before leaving Olivia bleeding and sore on the floor.
"Mama, why do you do this?" the little girl asked the empty room.
A cynical voice that had already developed in the girl responded nastily 'because you're a good-for-nothing whore, you're stupid, and you hurt people.'.
Olivia burst suddenly into tears, and walked gingerly up to her room and collapsing on her bed, forgetting to set out the clothing for herself and her mother.
Around six hours later, a very drunk Serena Benson arrived home. With an intense concentration, she managed to unlock the door and stumble inside.
"Olivia," she yelled.
The girl woke from her slumber and headed toward to lounge where her very drunk mother sat, pouting.
"Yes Mama,"
"I want dinner."
"But Mama, you already had dinner. I don't have anything for you to eat."
"You don't, do you?" the mother began to advance on the little girl, who quickly changed her answer,
"I might be able to make something." She said quickly, before rushing out of the room.
"That's what I thought." Serena said.
Almost 15 minutes later, Olivia walked into the room, with a small meal and a bottle of Vodka on a tray.
"Goodnight Mama."
Flashback End
"God, that was one of the first times that I was beaten four times in one day." She snorted, self depreciatingly, "My teacher wanted to know why I suddenly had all these bruises. I told her I had a fight with my neighbour but I didn't realize until after I said it, that she was my neighbour and I obviously hadn't been in a fight with her. She called the police…
Flashback Begin
A knock on the door started Serena out of her stupor.
"Get the door you bastard child," she yelled at her daughter.
"Yes Mama." The girl opened the door, finding herself looking at two police officers.
"What can I do for you?" she asked, using a voice that sounded far too grown up for a seven year old.
"We received a report of child abuse. Are your parents home?"
"My mother's sleeping. Is there anything I can help you with?"
"Yes, can you answer some questions for us?"
"Of course, just a moment." Olivia looked back on her mother, who was now snoring. She grabbed her coat and headed outside to talk to the officers.
"What did you want to ask me?" she questioned as she pulled the door shut.
"Are you being abused?"
"No," Olivia said, with as much shock in her voice as she could muster.
"Do you mind accompanying us to the hospital for an examination?"
"I'm sorry, but I won't go to a hospital. Is that all?"
"When your mother wakes up, get her to give us a call." He paused, "And if we don't hear from her, we will be back."
Olivia nodded and took the card. She headed back inside and before she closed the door she head the officer say quietly, "She's abused."
Flashback End
"Needless to say, I was beaten pretty bad that night. I was out of school for two weeks and my teacher didn't ever report abuse again."