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Growing Up.


(Before the Deadly Shade of Red)


Gazing woefully out the window, she watched as the rain and wind blew through the trees like some demonic demon. She recalled that day well, it was forever burned into her memory, she was fourteen and her mother had just died. All the family, the cousins and family friends half of whom she had never met had gathered for the occasion, as she sat by the window, the noise became unbearable, she had to escape the constant chatter, the pity that was being applied was like overly sweet icing on a cake all gooey and sickening. Rising herself from the chair, she edged her way across the room and out into the hallway down to her mother's room. It was empty now, quiet and lonely. Making her way over to the dresser, she began flicking aside things that were on top, pulling open drawers, she casually looked over the cut glass rings, necklaces and brooches. Something caught her eye, on closer inspection, she saw a small dimple located to the back of the drawer, pressing it an inner drawer sprung forward. Startled, she watched as a gold and silver tube rolled towards her as though calling to her.

Reaching into the confined compartment, she picked up the tube, removing the cover she held the base as she twisted the silver outer tube, slowly revealing the red wax exposing itself to her. Suddenly she was transported back in time, her mind drawing her back to being a four-year-old watching her mother in the mirror carefully apply the glorious red wax to her lips. With awe and longing, she remembered twisting her lips, mimicking her mother wishing it was her lips that the substance was colouring. Then she remembered how when she was sitting by the side of the dressing table playing with her dolls as her uncle Richard entered the room. She remembered how he moved behind her mother, how he lifted her skirt and pushed down her knickers, his fumbling then her mother being pushed against the dresser. She recalled how her mother looked down at her and smiled.

Now standing in front of the same mirror, she leaned forward, pursing her lips just as she had practised those so many times. Raising the red wax to her lips, she started applying the lipstick just like her mother did many years before.

Suddenly she noticed her uncle Richard standing in the doorway watching her.'My how you’ve grown, you’re looking more like your mother every time I see you, my dear." he said.

Removing his hand from his pocket, he moved forward towards her, unzipping his trousers and reached inside. Suddenly he froze as he heard the voice call out.

‘Richard, where are you, it’s time to go’ Her aunt called from the living room.
‘I’ll drop by for a visit with you sometime." Her uncle said as he turned and walked out of the room.

Now she knew the power that the red lipstick held if applied properly like mommy, she could control anyone.

She never did see uncle Richard again, about a month later he and aunt Olivia moved away, apparently, there were rumours about one of the neighbour's children and uncle Richard.

Applying the red waxy coating in front of the mirror, she picked up her cell phone and called her friend to come over to her house after school. That was the same day she and her new girlfriend began making out in her room. 

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