When Carrie finally made it down the stairs and stopped. Margaret was already standing in her way. Margaret was taller than Carrie and older too. Margaret had long,dark, brownish hair reaching down to her knees. She wore all black and a black cape to go with it whenever she left the house. Some of the neighbors in the neighborhood would often say that Margaret looked as though as someone died. Nobody in the neighborhood liked the combination of Margaret's extreme religious beliefs and hot temper. ,Carrie had been aware of Margaret's behavior and would even try to mention it to her. Every time when it was brought up, Margaret would lock Carrie in the "prayer closet". Sooo, Carrie looked straight at her mother. The silence was heavy between them. The two didn't speak.
That was until Margaret opened her arms.
"Come here and welcome your mother home.",said Margaret in a sweet tone.
Carrie ran to her mother and hugged her. The two of them embraced. Then stepped back and looked at each other.
"Carrie.…",began Margaret.
Carrie looked up at her.
.
"Yes Momma?,asked Carrie.
"Did anything happened when I was gone?" ,asked Margaret.
The two of them let go from the hug. While Margaret made her way to the kitchen, Carrie froze. She didn't know if she wanted to tell her mother about Rebecca. She knew that if she said anything, Margaret will be furious. Carrie shook her head in response.
"No, Momma..why do you ask that?.",answered Carrie.
Margaret shrugged.
"I don't know. I feel like you are hiding something from me, Carrie."murmured Margaret.
Margaret was unpacking groceries. Carrie sweat intensely whether not to tell Margaret or not.
"I already told you, Momma. Im not hiding anything.",said Carrie.
Margaret huffed, "Oh Carrie, you know, I hate it when you lie to me.Lying is a sin!"
Carrie nodded,somewhat, of agreement.
"Oh, so you ARE hiding something from me?",started Margaret.
"No Momma.",said Carrie.
"Good,now help me with the groceries.",said Margaret.
Carrie walked over to help.
While as Margaret and Carrie were sorting out the groceries, Margaret watched Carrie help.
"You know, this is great learning practice for you once you work at the laundromat with me.",said Margaret.
Carrie responded with a sigh sadly, Margaret worked at the laundromat all her life. Since it was almost close to her high school graduation, Margaret decided she wants Carrie to work at the laundromat with her. Carrie didn't want that for her future. The laundromat was a monument to dirt and mess. The thought of it makes Carrie so upset. This is especially hard when she hears on how all of the other kids at her school were talking about college. It sounded so interesting that she made a mistake and brought it up to Margaret. Eventually, Margaret would get mad and say that college is a sin. Then she would say all the kids are rushing to hell to do sinful things. When Carrie was finally done, she realized Margaret was doing her daily praying. She quickly ran upstairs and into her room. She reached under her bed for the basket she placed baby Rebecca in. She pulled the basket out and saw that Rebecca was still fast asleep. Carrie sighed with relief. She was glad that Rebecca didn't wake up yet.
"Oh Rebecca, now what am I going to do?" ,she asked her.
How will she take care of a baby without her mother even knowing?.
