From the author of "Untied Feelings" comes

A short story "56 Heart St"
 The story of one woman's struggle to find peace in an hostile environment


I woke up with a swollen lip again. I entered the bathroom
and I could barely open my mouth to brush my teeth and when
I spat the toothpaste out it was mixed with blood.
Then the tears started streaming down my face. I never
imagined
having this much pain inflicted upon me. Looked into the
mirror and seeing this swollen face looking back at me
made me ask myself, what did I do to deserve this? Looking
at the clock on the bathroom wall tells me I have to get
ready to go to work. It tells me it's time to put on a
pound of make up and that fake smile that people
like so much, and pretend like nothing ever happened.
I heard Jason knocking on the door telling me he has to go.
I told him to give me a second as I reach for the bath towel
to wrap around my face so he would not see his mother's
swollen lip. I open the door and let him in. He rush in
embarrassed at the fact that his mother
is in the bathroom with him, he saw me looking, turned
away trying to hide then he said "Mama!", I said, "Boy
I carried you for nine months, I know everything about you"
He washed his hands and walked out of the bathroom then I
reminded him to get ready
for school. Back to my face, I started to mix a special
blend of make up to cover my bruise. Sometimes I marvel
at what I can create with this make up kit, but I realize
I've had a lot of practice. I went upstairs to get dress
I can still smell the alcohol in the as room he lays there,
looking innocent like he could not hurt a fly, but my lip
still throbs from where he hit me last night.
 
After dropping the kids off at school I made a U turned and
head for my job. I clocked in about two minutes late "Good
morning Laura was your weekend?" I said " it was great, how
was yours" she replied
" It was okay" I said, sometimes I feel like she knows more
than she lets on. We were never best the of friends.
We were roommates in college and we hung out at some frat
parties, but that was it. I was never in favor of her
promotion. After all, I have more experience than half of
the people in this office. This was the third time I was over
looked, I am not one to play the race card, but if I did not
know better I would say they just humor me and tolerate me because
I am the only one who knows how to program the main computer.
She told me that there was a meeting the in the conference room
in five minutes. I got up and headed for the ladies room
ecause I could feel the makeup beginning to crack, under normal
circumstances I guess I would be fine but this is something
that I will have to deal with. Paul pulled out a chair for me
and asked if I wanted some coffee but I told him no thanks. He
has always been a good friend, but I have a sixth sense that
he is attracted to me although he's never once made a pass at me.
Laura came
in with her portfolio and a chart that depicted the
numbers for this quarter. She made the statement that
some of us have fallen behind on our workload. She did
not look in my direction but I cannot help but think that
the statement was directed towards me. But I did not allow
myself to get upset. Half an hour later the meeting
was over and Paul asked me where was I having lunch. I told
him I would probably be eating at my desk. He said if I
changed my mind I should come and join him in the cafeteria.
Being polite, I smiled and nodded then return to my desk.
While working on my ever growing work load the phone rang, and
the voice at the other end said,"
Hi honey".. to be continued