Chapter 20 daughter and mother (I see myself in you).
Trigger warning: In this chapter Margareth hints at her (possibly) being raped by her husband Ralph White.
This chapter and the next will deal with the subject.
The scene shows Carrie all dressed up, putting some finishing touches on her make up.
The whole room look at the unknown beautiful young woman before them. While the older generation tries figuring out who this girl, the younger generation, especially the males admire the beautiful young woman before them.
And beautiful she is.
Her strawberry hair is wavy and smooth and frames her face nicely.
And what a face it is! Her face has a glow that screams health with eyes that shine with life and happiness.
They had seen those eyes before! But where...
Once she is done with her lipstick she looks in the mirror admiring how she looks now she is allowed to dress how she wants.
Once the screen shows the girl in full it doesn't take the room long to put the pieces together.
Oh shit it is Carrie.
The room turns around and look to the screen, then to Carrie and then back, almost like they can't believe girl on screen is her.
The boys in the room stare looking at Carrie like they have never before, with some sending her looks, while most of the girls in the room can't help themselves but stare with envy at Carrie and how good she looks.
While more of the normal or ''nerdier'' students like Norma Watson and Cindy look surprised they also look happy for Carrie, the Ultra's look the most shocked at how great Carrie looks.
She could have passed for one of us.
Tina Blake snorts at the bitter reality. In another life Carrie could have been part of the Ultra's. She sure enough had the right looks.
It has nothing to do with the fact that Carrie has grown on her and she wouldn't have minded getting to know and befriend her for real.
Mrs Desjardin, Freddy and Jessica together with the other adults around were looking at their friend/student. Tears started gathering in their eyes at the image of Carrie all dressed up and most important so very happy.
Happiness was such an good look on Carrie.
The boys and girls in the room once they had gotten over their shock turned to say something to Carrie, but before they could Carrie started sniffing.
This abrubtly stopped any comment from being made.
Carrie was watching herself on the screen. She couldn't believe what she was seeing.
It was her, but also not. She both recognised herself and at the same time not. Her puggish face was now free of acne and had an glow she didn't know she could have. Her hair often oily because of the food momma made her eat and she eated herself was now soft and curly. Other things she recognised. The shape or her nicely formed legs (something her other clothes had always hid) and the swell of her breasts now for everyone on display. The last thought made her both ashamed and scared but also so very free and some other feeling she couldn't quit name.
While Carrie was busy admiring herself the others had turned around, making the choose not to say anything and let her just have this moment.
Just the though that this is what Carrie looked like when Carrie was happy and allowed to make her own choices was both beautiful and heartbreaking.
She turns to her left and picks up a pretty pink coursage.
Carrie once again is in front off the mirror,except this time her mother Margareth White stand behind her in the doorway.
''Great there is that bitch again '. Says Nicky Wilson while shaking her head.
No one corrected her on her cussing with most people agreeing with her.
Carrie notices her mother and turns around to face her.
Margareth looks shocked at her daughters appearance.
The room couldn't help but burst out in laughter at the scandaloused look on Margareth's face.
''Oh God she looks at you like you are a willingly working girl on the streets''. Says Sue Snell.
''I don't think there is much of an difference in that womans eyes''. Says Mrs Snell dryly.
''Wait if she thinks Carrie is a working girl what does she think my boy Tommy is''. Said George Dawson.
''The heathen that picks her up in his car'. Says Tommy Ross slightly grumpy.
After watching Mrs White he could quite imagine what she thought about him, though she didn't have to worry. While Carrie did look gorgeous he was dating Sue.
George Watson looks around for a moment before he cughs loudly, drawning everyones attention to him.
George sits straight, his face becoming serieus.
''Out in the wilderness inside his car where it is cold and around the roadhouses and whisky he is going to deflower
hopefully for, hopefully very throughly''.
The reaction was instant. The people in the room bursted in laughter, despite that they knew Tommy would never do something like that. It took a good 10 minutes before the room managed to calm down and they could continue.
Carrie notices and in an act of goodwill points the coursage to her mother.
Carrie:'' Will you pin it on me, Mama?''.
The mother and daughters in the room look at the scene, feeling fuzzy and warm imagining helping their daughter for Prom and hoping that Margareth will set aside her prejudge and enjoy the mother daughter bonding experience.
Mrs Desjardin, Principal Morton, the Holts, Nurse Lopez and the others look, seeing it what it is. An piece offering.
Mrs Desjardin takes Carrie's small hand in hers
''Now is the time to show if you can change you miserable old hag''
''Carrie seems to have faith in you after all you have done to her, please prove that her faith is justified''.
Margareth: ''Red''.
The mothers in the room signed. It probably was too good to hope Margareth would accept any other bonding activity then Bible Study.
Around Carrie Mrs Desjardin, Principal Morton and the Holts, Mrs Lopez and the others look at Carrie, seeing how she reacts to the rejection of her offer.
Her face changes for a moment before it becomes blank. The only other indicator that something is wrong is the way Carrie's hold on her arm has become tighter.
Mrs Desjardin feels sadness. For a moment she had thought Margareth White would set her beliefs aside to actually be there for her daughter.
''There is still time, we aren't done yet maybe she will surprise us''.
Carrie pulls the coursage down, upset at her mother's reaction.
Margareth: ''I should have known it would be red''.
''I am pretty sure it is pink, but okay still not the strangest thing she has said''. Says Jessica Upshaw.
Suddendly she sits up like she remembers something important.
''Hold on you made that whole dress yourself?!'' Says Jessica remembering watching Carrie working on the pink material.
She is pleasantly surprised. Sure she and Carrie had talked about her sewing, but the dress in is whole was very well made. She wouldn't have thought someone her age and without help could have made it.
This ends up getting everyones attention. They had been so caught off guard by Carrie's transformation that they had forgotten that Carrie had made the dress herself.
''You are just a great an seamstress as your mother, Mrs White''. Says Elton Mott.
Maybe I should hire Carrie after this, seeing I probably will be one seamstress less after this with Margareth being sent to prison or a mental hospital.
Carrie'' It's pink''.
''If there ever were doubts you were the sane one between the two of you it is now proven without doubt''. Says Vicky Hanscome.
Despite her nonchalant way of speaking she was actually very nervous. she couldn't help but admire Carrie for standing there while her mother (her abuser) was so clearly disapproving of everything she was doing.
And looking that good, damn she has some great legs for someone who hates gymclass as she does.
Carrie turns around and starts putting on the coursage herself.
Margareth: ''I can see your dirty pillows''.
''Urrrggggg not this again!'' Moan mutiple people.
Carrie once again turns around to look at her mother.
Margareth: ''Everyone will''.
''Isn't that kinda the point''. Says Carrie.
The whole room choke on their breath, not believing what Carrie just said.
They turn to look at Carrie who looks back at them like she didn't just say something so sexual!
''Excuse me?''. Says Principal Morton, more lost then earlier when he had to deal with the subject of menstruation or a dvd appearing out of thing air.
I am not paid enough for this
No one says anything else, not knowing what to say.
''Poor innocent little Carrie, my ass'' Whispers Ruth Gogan to Cindy.
Cindy can only nod.
Carrie: ''Breasts, Mama''.
Carrie: ''Breasts, you have them
and every woman has them''.
People start cheering,
Margareth doesn't respond, instead she moves foward till she and Carrie are in touching distance.
The whole room tenses.
Margareth: ''Take off that dress, Carrie''.
Carrie: ''No''.
Margareth: ''Take it off and we'll burn it together
and pray for forgiveness''.
People snort and start laughing at the mental image of Carrie and her mother burning the dress together while praying with Mrs White fighting against the dress.
All except a few woman who look horrified.
''Nooooooo you are not doing that to that poor dress''. Says Vicky Hanscom
Around her the other teenage girls and woman nod.
Mr Hnascom shakes his head at his daughters scewed priorties when it comes to clothes.
Carrie: ''Mama, it's modest''.
The people in the room agree with Carrie. While it was nowhere near the clothes Carrie usually wore, it was by no means extremely revealing.
Margareth: ''Call that boy and tell
him you're not going''.
Margareth: ''You just tell him you're sick''.
''That is lying miss, go to your closet to pray for forgiveness''. Says Tommy Ross.
Around him people start giggling. Carrie can't help but laugh about the mental image of her mother praying for forgiveness for this.
Margareth: ''I don't want you to get hurt''.
Carrie looks down.
Oh momma, I know you want to protect me but I have to do this.
I need to learn to be my own person even if it means geting hurt along the way.
But they won't be able to hurt me. I have my powers now and there isn't anything they haven't done before they can do to hurt me now.
A small voice whispered what about Chris and her boyfriend.
No, I don't know if she will go through with it, but I have my powers I will probably be able to stop it if it does happen.
The Lord is on my side for once.
Carrie: ''Or you could just be happy for me''.
People nod, agreeing with Carrie.
Carrie agrees too with her future self, feeling dissapointed at her mothers refusal.
She will come around eventually, once she sees how happy it makes me and sees that people can be kind.
Carrie, done with the conversation walks away, but not before Margareth starts hitting herself, hoping to guilt trip her daughter.
The room watch first with shock, then with anger and sadness as Margareth starts hurting herself.
''Manipulative bitch''. Whispers Chris Hargenson, though not quitely enough seeing the looks that are sent her way.
Thankfully none of them look angry at her.
Come on Carrie, you have come so far, don't let her guilth trip you now when you are so close.
Carrie once she hears the sound of slaps walks back and sees her mother hurting herself.
Carrie: ''Mama, stop hurting yourself''.
The room feel their stomach drop. If they had thought the worst part was that Margareth was hurting herself, it had nothing on Carrie's reaction. Carrie didn't look surprised, like she had suspected Margareth would pull a stunt like that.
Sue looks at her hands. Her future version had thought it would be a great idea to let Tommy take Carrie to Prom but was it?
First Chris and her boyfriend were planning on pouring pigs blood on Carrie and she had essentially destroyed whatever relationship Carrie still had with her mother.
Carrie uses her powers to control her mothers hands, forcing her to stop hurting herself.
Carrie: ''You know it's not going to make me stay''.
Margareth stops struggling against her daughters powers and hands her head and hands down in defeat.
The room released their breath, glad that Carrie hadn't given in to her mothers demands.
(HORN HONKING)
Carrie hearing the car walks to the window to look if it is Tommy, Margareth following behind her.
Carrie looks outside the window but no car stops in front of the White House.
Margareth: '' He's not coming, it's a trick''.
''Can someone please let her shut up?'' Says Nicky Wilson.
Around her people silently agree while the others share an look, not used to the twins saying much, but not diagreeing.
They too are getting tired of Mrs White attempts too stop Carrie from going to Prom.
Margareth: ''Same as always''.
The whole student body couldn't help but wince, remembering the stunts they had pulled in the past.
Unknown to all the Ultra's felt the most guitly out of them.
Carrie: ''He's going to come''.
Margareth takes her daughters hands into hers.
Margareth: ''They're going to laugh at you''.
Margareth: ''They're all going to laugh at you''.
''Not on my watch''. Says Tommy Ross.
He turns to look at Carrie.
''If anyone says something unkind I will take care of it''. Says Tommy.
He is rewarded a beautiful smile by Carrie.
Carrie: ''Mama, stop it''.
Carrie: ''I'm nervous enough as it is''.
The room felt gloom at those words.
Agent Maggie watched the exchange and couldn't help but feel pity for the young girl.
So far Mrs White has done extremely well with dealing with her mothers manipulation, better then most victimes of lifelong abuse, but how long could Mrs White go on till Carrie did break and give in to her mothers demands? And if not how will Mrs White respond that her daughter won't fall back in line. Lot of abusers don't take it lightly if their victim refuses to bend to their will and they feel like their control is slipping.
And would that be a bad thing? Normally I am all for abuse victims standing up to their abuser, but by going to Prom Mrs White is playing right in the hands of Chris Hargenson and Billy Nolan. And that is not talking about how Mrs White will respond that her daughter won't fall back in line. Lot of abusers don't take it lightly if their victim refuses to bend to their will and they feel like their control is slipping.
What is the terrible thing that is going to happen and can we prevent it?
An thought she had for a while now, in fact since she had seen Mrs White use her telekinese popped up.
Is it Mrs White herself going to be the victim or the perpertrater in this story ? Or somewhere in between?
A car is heard.
Carrie walks to the window and looks outside.
Outside a large white limo with an chauffeur stands in front of the White house
Some people whistle at the sight of the limo.
(CAR DOOR OPENS)
Tommy Ross, in the white tuxedo her chose earlier, steps out of the limo.
The room including Carrie and Tommy relaxes at the sight of Tommy Ross.
He came, he actually showed up!.
Tommy smiled goofy, glad that whatever hestitance his future self might have didn't stop him for going through with Sue's plan.
Tommy: Thank you, sir.
Mother and daughter's faces are shown on screen. One happy one defentitely not.
The room snorts at the faces of the two woman.
Heather Shrys and some others couldn't help but compare the woman.
How did that bitter woman give birth to someone as Carrie.
Carrie: ''You see, Mama''.
''We all see''. Said George Dawson.
Carrie: ''You see, it's all going to be okay''.
Margareth: ''Oh, repent, it's not too late''.
''Woman you lost just accept that she is not staying with you''. Says Ruth Gogan grumply.
Carrie turns away from her mother and walks toward her bed picking up her purse.
Carrie: ''Mama, don't ruin this for me''.
Carrie: ''I'll be home early''.
Margareth: ''I'm going to have to
tell that boy the truth
The temperature in the room decreased.
What truth what is she going on about now?
Mrs Desjardin felt her anger rising, while Carrie looks confused.
Something in her mothers tone set the alarms off in her brain.
She has something.
Carrie turns around looking at her mother a surprised look on her face.
''That your father took me
and you were born of sin''.
''Isn't that how most children are made''. Asks Tina Blake.
Around people agree, not seeing the point in Margareth's statement.
People giggle, not seeing why Margareth thought this was such an big thing. Embaressing no doubt and they hoped for Carrie she wouldn't do that, but this was her last trumph card?
Most believe it being completely ignorant, while others can't help as unease starts to slowly spread the longer they think about the words.
It was the way Margareth had said it.
He took me.
You were born of sin.
These words pointed to something, something most off them didn't want to think about.
Eleanor Snell had an suspicion, a horrible one.
She looks to her husband and Ellen Spies, seeing her worries reflected on their faces.
''To the roadhouses and the whiskey''. Ellen whispers, her hand slowly going to her mouth in shock.
Beside her, their daughters Sue and Rachel stiffen, understanding the complications.
Eleanor feels her stomach drop.
No, it can't be true. Carrie can't have been born from something so horrible.
But it adds up doesn't it? The woman that hates sex having an child and her treatment of Carrie could also be partly explained by this.
Carrie was born of martial rape.
Eleanor hated herself but she felt a slight pang of pity for Margareth.
No, no Ralph was an fanatic but he wouldn't have forced himself upon Margareth wouldn't he?
He was always walking around with an weapon, he wasn't above violence.
Could he?
Did he?
No, don't think about it now is not the time and Carrie shouldn't be bothered with this when we don't know if it is true in the first place.
She gives the people around her an look, trying to communicate her thoughts without saying them in fear someone might hear them.
Thankfully they seem to understand her, though her daughter and husband look like they want to say something.
After a few minutes in which they try to comfort and reassure each other as silently asthey can, they turn around to further watch the movie when they are interrupted by an sound.
Turning around she sees Carrie, pale and shaking.
The doors that only seem to open whenever she or anyone else is very upset, open again for her while she leaves the cafeteria.
One look at the pale faces of Mrs Desjardin, Principal Morton, Freddy Holt, Jessica Upshaw and the others tell her she isn't the only one that had made the connection.
Fuck.
And done! I am sorry it took me a while to post it for all that had to wait. I unfortunately didn't have the last weeks as much time for writing as I wish I had and some writing block. I had forgotten that Margareth hints at the fact that Carrie was born of rape in this part of the movie. After some thinking I decided to let people pick up on it because earlier for the next reasons:
A it isn't without reason that people might suspect something from the way Margareth words it.
B this way Carrie can have some time to deal with it instead of having the bomb dropped after the Black Prom and all that follows after. At this point people still see her as an victim and will be able to better deal with this/comfort her while after seeing the Black Prom things might be tense.
I won't spoil to much but Carrie knows (partly because the same power that brought them there decided to give an warning/explanation). The how and everyones reaction will be further explored in the next chapter. Till next time and I hope you all like the characters in this chapter! Reviews much appreciated.