American Scream

Marie sat in quiet mortification as her stepdaughter Dorence showed off the new outfit she suckered her father into buying.   Her positive reactions veiled avoidance.  “The color compliments your light complexion.”  As she chewed her eggs, she allowed the more realistic comments their freedom as they screamed in her head.  "Dorence . . . you’re too fat to wear cropped shirts.  Don’t you see the stomach hanging over your skirt looks like a pouting BOTTOM LIP?”  You look like you’re stuffed in a lilac colored sausage casing."  She’d start WWIII in her kitchen by speaking these thoughts.  She could tell Lawrence shared her sentiments but he hid the truth behind a divorced parent's guilt.  "Coward", Maria thought.  She has watched Dorence work her father like a pimp since their marriage.  They argued quite a bit and just like Dorence's ill-fitting outfit, Lawrence doesn't wear the truth well.  Maria walked into this marriage with realistic expectations draped in naiveté.  She really, though the heartfelt conservations she had with Lawrence and Dorence regarding blended families made a difference.  Dorence newfound respect for the relationship between Maria and Lawrence seemed sincere.  It's six months later and clearly, the honeymoon between all three is over.  Every way possible, Dorence schemes, manipulates and guilt her father in to meeting every unreasonable need she has.  Lawrence futile attempts to appease the women in his life have him on the brink of insanity but his fear exceeds his ability to be honest-To be free.  Maria chewing her eggs with conviction realizes that no matter what she does to ease the tension in both relationships nothing will change.  So how's your morning?

    & nbsp;   &n bsp;   &nb sp;   &nbs p;     ;         & nbsp;   &n bsp;        & nbsp;   &n bsp;   Mel Taylor copyright 2004