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Chapter Three

Carol turned on the water as hot as she could stand it and added a few drops of lavender scented oil. She lowered herself into the tub, wincing as the water stung her skin. Closing her eyes she let the heat seep into her bones, relaxing her tired muscles. She breathed deeply, clearing her mind as best she could. She had two more days of peace and quiet before her life finally returned to normal.

It had been just her and Sophia in the new house all week while Ed finished up his notice at work. It had been peaceful, if not busy. Her and Sophia had enjoyed themselves immensely while Ed was away and the week had really given Carol a chance to reevaluate her life. Her and Sophia had moved into the house as soon as the movers had delivered everything on Sunday. They had unpacked and organized for a few days and then fell into a comfortable rhythm. Sophia never complained about anything but Carol could tell that she wasn't having an easy time at school, even though she never mentioned it. So Carol made it a point to entertain the girl.

They spent a lot of time exploring the small town and it was safe to say that they knew nearly every inch of it by now. They took long walks and talked about anything that came to mind. They ate too much pizza and they watched too much television. Without the constant gloom that was Ed hanging over them they had bonded in a way that Carol had never dreamed of. Her daughter was becoming a beautiful and amazing woman and she hadn't even realized it until this week. But now they were down to just a few more days of this blissful freedom and Carol was dreading the return of her husband.

Her marriage was better now than it had been in the earlier days after Sophia was born. For quite a few years things had been at their worst. He had beaten her down physically and emotionally, breaking her heart and her spirit. She had never expected her life to turn out how it had. Ed had been her first real boyfriend. She had found herself pregnant with Sophia the summer before her senior year and, after a lot of pressure from their parents, had married him shortly after she found out. Things had been okay for a while but then things changed. He started drinking heavily, becoming more and more aggressive. It got bad. Those were dark days. Now things were better than they had been. He was still cruel with his words and his temper was still explosive but the blows were now few and far between.

She opened her eyes and reached for the wine glass that she had sat on the side of the tub, taking a small sip and willing those memories away. There was no use crying over spilled milk. The past was exactly that. The past. Ed was more tolerable and her life could have easily turned out worse. But she still couldn't shake that feeling that had been with her all week. She was almost thirty five years old and she felt like she hadn't lived at all. Her and Sophia had been having so much fun together all week that she had forgotten what it was like to just breath and enjoy the moment. She had forgotten what it was like to not have to walk around on egg shells. And that was exactly what they had to do when Ed was around.

By the time she finally got out of the tub the water had grown cool. Her and Sophia had plans to walk to the river and then have dinner at one of the few restaurants along main street. She was surprised to find Sophia in her room, rummaging through her closet.

"What are you doing?" Carol asked, toweling her hair dry.

Sophia turned, smiling mischievously. "You should wear this, mom," she said excitedly, holding up a skirt that she recognized as her daughter's. It was one she had bought her for school but Sophia hadn't worn it yet.

"You're father would have a heart attack, Sophia," Carol said, as she took the skirt from her.

"He isn't here. I hate the clothes he makes you wear. You have great legs, mom. Take advantage of him being gone and show them off. What will it hurt? We only have a few days left."

Carol regarded the skirt with a critical eye. "You're ridiculous. I'm too old to wear your clothes. Besides, I'm married. I don't need anyone checking out my legs."

"Piper's uncle wasn't doing much to hide the fact that he was checking out your butt when you were bent over the car this afternoon," Sophia said, her grin widening.

Carol felt herself flush from her neck to her hairline. With a sigh she gripped her daughter by the arm and ushered her out of the bedroom. "Get out," she said as she pushed her through the door with an indulgent smile. "I might try it on." She shut the door before Sophia could say anything else and let the towel fall to the floor.

Sophia had a point. Most of her own clothes were pretty hideous but who did she have to impress? Instead of tossing the skirt to the side she slipped on a pair of plain cotton underwear, a black lace bra and then shimmied into the skirt. Now she realized why Sophia hadn't worn it yet. It was probably against the dress code. She should have realized that it would have been too short since the girl was nearly taller than her now. The black fabric fell just above mid thigh and she flushed at the thought of wearing something so revealing outside.

"Holy crap!"

Carol spun around and found Sophia staring at her with wide eyes. Carol blinked and then something hit her in the face. She caught it before it hit the floor and held up a white tank top with lace trim. She quirked a brow. "Sophia-"

"Mom, please. You look so great. It's just one stupid night. Lets have some fun."

"This bra is black. I can't wear a white tank top with a black bra. It's obscene," she muttered, hating to burst Sophia's bubble.

Sophia held up a hand and then ran out of the room only to return with a black jean jacket that Carol had actually seen her wear the other day. "Here," Sophia said as she shoved the jacket into Carol's hands. "Oh my God, you're gonna look amazing."

Carol groaned and slipped the jacket on. "Okay. Here's the deal. I'll actually leave the house in this ridiculous get up but we aren't walking. We're driving to that Chinese place outside of town, we eat, we rent a few bad movies and then we come back home. Deal?"

Sophia looked like she was ready to agree but then she shook her head. "No deal. Not unless you also wear the boots you got me last week."

Carol gaped at her. "Sophia..."

"Mom!" Sophia wailed, turning mom into a multi syllable word.

"Fine, but we call in the order, you go in to pick it up and the only time I get out of the car is to run to the Red Box and pick out the movies."

Sophia narrowed her eyes but then finally nodded. "Deal. But I really wish you would just go out. You really do look amazing."

"You're sweet, and biased." She really was happy to see her daughter so happy and this was the only reason that she was actually doing this. It was nice seeing her so carefree. "So, tell me about this new friend of yours. She seems nice," she said as she finished getting dressed.

Sophia's eyes widened. "She's nice to me. I'm not really sure how to take her and her friends though. They're really... I don't know how to explain it. I guess they are kind of a mystery to me."

"Well, I'm glad you've finally made a friend. I was worried about you. You're good at hiding how miserable you've been but I know you. This hasn't been easy on you."

Sophia met her eyes. "Things aren't ever easy on you either but you don't complain or sulk about it."

Carol felt a deep sadness well up, making her throat feel thick.

Sophia smiled quickly. "But we have a few more days. Let's make the best of them, okay?"

Carol nodded. "I agree. Let's do what we can before your dad comes back and things go back to normal." She smiled but it was forced and from the look her daughter gave her, she knew it too. "Mom... Maybe it's time to finally just..."

"He's trying, Sophia. I know it doesn't seem like he is but he is. He promised that he wouldn't touch another drop of alcohol and that was the reason he did the things he did."

Sophia wrung her hands in front of her. "Just because he hasn't hit you in a while doesn't mean he treats you right. Mom, I'm not deaf." She shook her head angrily. "I love you and right now he isn't here so lets just go enjoy your hotness for a night and forget all about this, okay?"

Carol swallowed down her tears and laughed at Sophia's choice of words. "Lead the way," she said as she motioned for the door.