Look in the Mirror

Sonoko was Karl’s biggest cheerleader.  It didn’t matter to her if he won or lost a game, she was there to support him and just wanted to be around him.  She hasn’t missed a game since they started dating. After a game she would be all over him with hugs and kisses. His sweat smelled so good mixed with his cologne;  it ignited her pheromones, and they would make out under the bleachers until the sun started to set. His kisses were invasive and would penetrate her mouth.  His tongue forced her teeth apart and was thrust down her throat; it made her body quiver. He could have taken her right there under the bleachers.  They messed around and Karl would put his hand up her dress and caress her until she was soaked.  Then it was time to stop, not that she wanted to stop. But she had to take control of the situation and get home on time.  Sonoko had to act like business as usual with her mom and Paul.  She was looking forward to the upcoming prom, graduation, college, and everything with Karl.  Life has been good so far.

When Sonoko walked in the door the first thing she saw was her mom and Paul cuddling on the sofa watching TV. It was some reality show that they liked to watch, a bunch of nonsense if you asked her.

She spoke and they asked her about her day.

“It was good mom; I have a lot of homework to do. I’m going to get started before dinner.  When’s dinner?” Sonoko asked.

Hikari said, “ I have a chicken baking in the oven.  It will be finished in about 30 minutes. We are having rice pilaf, green bean almondine, and a nice big salad.  How does that sound honey?”

“It sounds delish mom.  I will see you in a few.”  Sonoko kept trying to make her way upstairs to her room, but her mom wanted to talk for some reason today.  Was it time to be suspicious?

“Have you gotten your prom dress yet?  I was thinking we could go shopping and spend Paul’s money.” Hikari said.

Paul laughed.  “That’s nothing new sweetie.  I’m glad I have money you don’t know about, or I would go broke.”

“What’s mine is yours and yours is mine Paul.  Sonoko I was thinking we could go shopping, grab lunch, get a spa treatment to include a Pedi/mani.  We could have a girl’s day.  We haven’t done that in a while. What do you think?”

Sonoko still hadn’t gotten over that hard slap and hurtful words.  She cringed at the thought of her mother grilling her about her life.  That was her main objective for wanting to have “girl’s time.”  Play the role Sonoko, play the role.  “Yes mom, that would be nice.  I am free on Saturday.”

“Ok, great.  Paul you will have to find something to do that day.”

“I can play a round of golf or two with Steve.  We will grab a couple of beers and a pizza afterward.” Paul said.

Sonoko was finally able to make her way upstairs without her mom asking her a million questions.  She really wasn’t going to do her homework, she did it in third period at school.  She was going to call Karl because she missed him already.  There would be an empty spot on the bleachers this Saturday.

It was Saturday morning. Sonoko got up and showered because she was going on a shopping spree with her mother.  She decided to put on a pair of jeans, a T-shirt, and tennis shoes.  Keeping it simple.  She ran downstairs; her mom was ready and waiting with car keys in hand. 

“Good morning mom.”

“Good morning, are you ready to go?”

“Yes, I am.”

Paul had already left the house to meet Steve for a couple of rounds of golf, pizza, and beer. Hikari and Sonoko didn’t want to shop on an empty stomach, so they went to this quaint Italian restaurant called, The Bistro for brunch.  They had the waiter sit them at a table with a view so they could watch people walking around outside. 

The waiter came back to their table to take their order.  “What will you be having Sonoko?” Hikari asked.

“Hmmm I’ll have the rigatoni pasta with red sauce and meatballs.   Sweet iced tea for the drink please.”

“I’ll have the pasta alfredo with broccoli and grilled chicken.  A glass of red wine for my drink please.”

The waiter came back with some hot buttered rolls and drinks while we waited for our meal.

“Sonoko since we are shopping for your prom dress, what color did you have in mind?”

“My first choice is yellow, and my second choice is red.”

“Ok, those colors would look nice against your skin tone.”

While they are sitting talking, the waiter comes by to seat two guests.  It is one of Sonoko’s classmates, Angela, and her mother.

“Hi Sonoko! Glad to see you here. Hi Mrs. Jenson, I’m Angela. I go to school with Sonoko. Can my mom and I join you?”

“We don’t mind.  Mom and I are out having lunch and going to be shopping for my prom dress.” Sonoko said.

“Sonoko are you and Karl going to the prom together?” Angela asked.

Sonoko stutters, “I’m going alone.”

Angela says, “You mean you aren’t going with Karl?   He’s so hot! If he wasn't taken by you, I would have been asked him out!”.

Hikari looks stunned. And then Hikari pinches Sonoko under the table and tells Angela and her mother they had to leave because something has come up.

Sonoko said,  “But mom, we haven’t even gotten our food yet.”

“Well, I haven’t paid for it yet so we can just leave!” Hikari yelled.

Outside of the restaurant Hikari pulls Sonoko and pushes her in the car. 

“I thought Paul and I told you not to see Karl! So, you’ve been sneaking behind my back whenever you're supposed to be at drama or the debate club?! I told you that something bad was going to happen if you defied me.! Not only are you going to be grounded, but you’re also not going to the prom now because I can’t trust you!  You'll get there and be with that black boy!  I told you I’m not having any more shame on our family! I don’t need you to get pregnant and have a black baby! I don’t need you being seen with that black boy! You date somebody within your race, or you date somebody white!”

“I’m your mirror mom! If I bring you shame, you already shamed the family. You’re looking at me but look at how you brought shame to your family by getting pregnant and they disowned you! You don’t like what you see, huh?” Sonoko said in a smartass tone.

When they got home Hikari pushed Sonoko into the house. 

Hikari said,  “I couldn’t do it in front of them, but you want to defy me? You want to do what you want while you’re living in Paul and my house? I’ll tell you what, after I let you know who’s boss around here you can go live with that black boy!”

“Mom, I’m so sorry! I’m so sorry! I won’t do it again!” Sonoko pleaded

“Yes, you're going to be sorry!” Hikari slaps Sonoko again and she pulls her clothes until they rip.  Hikari leaves scratches on Sonoko’s skin and she pushes her into the wall.  Sonoko is screaming and crying for her to stop. 

“I hate you! You’re a racist and a hypocrite! You’re just jealous because you and Paul have a f**ked up relationship.  You are just his prostitute, paid and bought for!”Sonoko Sceams.

Sonoko then says, “If you lay your hands on me again, I’m going to call CPS (child protective services) and the police! I will show them the scratches and handprint to my face!”

Hikari tells her to go upstairs to her room and not to come out.

Paul walks in the door and wants to know what's going on.  Hikari says,  “Sonoko defied me, she was still seeing that black boy.  We went to the restaurant and ran into one of her classmates and they asked if she was still going to the prom with Karl.”

 Paul said, “I thought you both had had a nice time at brunch and hanging out. You two need to stop arguing and fighting because I have a reputation to uphold.  I don’t want the cops to come here because you and Sonoko are fighting.  I’m thinking of a plan to keep them separated forever so she will never see him again. We've told her and we've given her every opportunity to act right, and

 she still disobeyed us.  I for one, will not have a disobedient stepdaughter in my house whether she's going off to college this year or not.  I will not be having it!”

“We are going to lay low after this incident Hikari.   I know Karl plays football and I know someone who's going to follow him.  After this we won’t have to worry about Sonoko seeing him ever again.  It's good to have money because people would do almost anything for money, and as you know Hikari, I’ve got plenty of it.”