eBook
Available on Compatible NOOK devices, the free NOOK App and in My Digital Library.
Related collections and offers
Overview
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781466976023 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Trafford Publishing |
| Publication date: | 01/24/2013 |
| Sold by: | Barnes & Noble |
| Format: | eBook |
| Pages: | 164 |
| File size: | 256 KB |
Read an Excerpt
Two Sisters
By Arial Green
Trafford Publishing
Copyright © 2013 Arial GreenAll right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4669-7600-9
Chapter One
The Beginning
"Arial has not cried for a while, I am going to check on her," said Arial's mother. Eloise, Arial's mother walked toward the crib, not a sound, as she peered over the crib, their first child, a beautiful baby girl lay quietly, not asleep, just lying there, not actually looking at anything in particular, just laying quietly. Arial's mother, Eloise, began to talk to her, she slowly began to move around, she did not cry, at the very young age of about two months, Arial knew not to cry. Eloise checked her diaper, sure enough she was wet and had pooped in her diaper. Eloise changed her diaper, talking to her, Arial began to coo and smile, but she did not cry! Eloise knew she should be hungry, so she prepared a bottle and held her while she emptied the bottle. Arial was hungry, she wiped that bottle out! Eloise talked to her daughter as she fed her, Arial desperately needed this attention. Arial's father, Frank did talk to her some, but only when she needed attention.
Arial's parents, Eloise and Frank, were married almost ten years before Arial was born. The delay of pregnancy was not on purpose, it just did not happen. They always wanted children, and when Eloise finally got pregnant, they were both ecstatic! They were thrilled, married over nine years, trying so hard, finally Eloise was pregnant. When the pregnancy was announced to the family, there was almost a party to celebrate. Eloise and Frank, as well as the families from both sides had almost given up, so when this announcement was made known, everyone was elated. The pregnancy, itself went well, no problems at all. Eloise was so thankful and excited; they had tried for so long, and now she was going to have the child she wanted so desperately. Eloise's health was good and time seemed to fly by, it did not seem like nine months, but the birth was very close.
The baby wanted out, it was time, to the hospital they went, and there was a swarm of relatives gathered with Frank in the father's waiting room. Eloise had been having contractions for several days, not hard, just enough to give Eloise a heads up. This was her first child and she had no knowledge of actual childbirth, so she was not sure about any of the signs, maybe the pain, but nothing more. Eloise, Frank and the family were in for a lengthy labor.
Eloise, before the pregnancy was a small framed woman, she weighed ninety-eight pounds when she and Frank married. The end of the pregnancy came and she looked like a blimp. Of course Eloise was not concerned with her weight or size, she assumed she would lose the weight quickly after she gave birth.
Eloise's pregnancy went well, and she assumed the delivery would be normal also. Unfortunately, this was not the case. Eloise lay in very intense labor for twenty-four hours. The doctor she had chosen did not believe in any extra intervention, she was not allowed any pain medicine and he believed in a completely natural birth. Arial's weight was heavier than normal, she weighed over ten pounds. This little girl simply could not get out of that small area. The labor pains were excruciating for Eloise, so much so the intense contractions ruptured the muscles in Eloise's abdomen.
The doctor was beginning to have concerns for mother and daughter. He went to the labor waiting area to speak to the father. He explained the situation and solemnly said, "I am doing everything possible to save your wife, but I cannot make any assurances concerning the baby." Frank, the husband and father, was outraged, he frightened the doctor. The doctor immediately returned to the labor room, he did not hesitate, he knew something had to be done to intervene. The doctor had always believed in a completely natural birth, but this time he would have to make an exception. The baby was in the birth canal, but being so large, he knew he would have to give assistance. This went against every belief he had ever had, but he knew it had to be done. He decided to use forceps to aid in the delivery, he inserted the forceps around the baby's head and with a gentle pull the baby entered the world. As the doctor was using this method, which he strongly disagreed with, he was not sure of the safety of the baby. This bigger than normal baby surprised everyone, she entered the world screaming, and this sound was a delight to his ears. She was perfectly normal in every way, she had all of her fingers and toes, and she could definitely cry. Eloise, the mother was a definite concern, she was exhausted and in an extreme amount of pain.
The nurses catered to the baby as the doctor's concern was totally on Eloise. The father and family were pacing in the waiting room, when suddenly a nurse appeared carrying a bundle wrapped in a pink blanket, that pink blanket gave it away, the baby was a girl, weighing in at 10 pounds, 2 ounces. The father, Frank was delighted, but where was his wife? The nurse explained that Eloise needed some extra care, but she would be out shortly. There was a sigh of relief from the family, Eloise was going to be alright. Mother and daughter were good.
A few days passed and mother and daughter were allowed to return home. This was a completely new experience for Eloise and Frank. They had been alone for almost ten years, and now there was a third person in the house. This small person named Arial, demanded attention. She had to be changed; to the parents it seemed constant. Arial had to be fed on a regular time schedule, she was a big baby and she was hungry. Arial was upsetting their normal routine of daily life. She was demanding their attention, and if she did not get it instantly she would cry loudly. Frank and Eloise loved this little girl so much, but this little girl had been born with a fantastic pair of lungs. She was really loud when she cried. This little girls' crying was piercing to the ears and to the nerves. One day their last nerve was severed, Frank or Eloise, I am not sure which parent; but one of them picked little Arial up and spanked her little bottom, of course this caused pain, Arial screamed. She was only a couple of months old; this little girl had absolutely no idea why this had happened. This continued each time Arial cried, Arial was being physically abused, but her parents did not understand the word abuse. They honestly thought this was just discipline. There was more than just a few spankings before little Arial's immature brain realized that if she cried she would be spanked. This little girl soon became withdrawn, she lay quietly in her crib.
When Arial's aunts and uncles visited she received all the attention she needed, but when they left, the almost isolation began again. This was so sad for an infant, a child needs attention, love that is given freely, not only when needed. Children need to be talked to and held, the need to be coddled is tremendous, all of the above are essential in the development of a child's brain and growth. When Frank or Eloise changed or fed Arial, they did talk and soothe her, but that was the only time she received any attention. Frank and Eloise were so proud with their accomplishment, they bragged to everyone how well behaved Arial was, even as an infant. In fact, they bragged about this Arial's entire life. What they did not realize was that they had instilled a fear in their daughter that would last a lifetime. All children require discipline, this will almost assure that a child will grow to be responsible, caring, respectful and loving adults. Frank and Eloise used an approach that was so barbaric for an infant. Arial grew, but there was always a fear within her, which later in adolescence and as an adult produced the feelings of no self-worth, or optimism toward life.
Frank and Eloise had five more children, four boys and finally their sixth child was another daughter. Arial was the obedient child, no problems, one might say, Arial was almost a saint. Those four little boys seemed to be quite a challenge for Frank and Eloise. Boys have a tendency to be more active and rebellious than girls, especially when they do not receive equal discipline. The boys grew rapidly, there was fear of their parents, these boys were defiant, and Arial was submissive.
These parents were stern disciplinarians, even with the boys, but it did not seem to accomplish the same results that it did with Arial. The boys were routy, where Arial was quite, she never caused any problems.
Frank, their father was an alcoholic; their mother was mentally and emotionally abused by their father. Frank worked some, when he worked, his income was good for that period in their lives. Eloise worked every day of her life until she retired. Frank was a mean man, not only to his wife and children; but also to perfect strangers walking down the street, it was almost as if he hated the world, he never appeared happy.
Arial never cause any problems, but the boys; well, you know how boys are. They were so close in age, they would fight daily. Arial remembers as a child, Kendall, the oldest of her four brothers must have committed an atrocious act. Their dad was the meanest man on the face of this earth, even with his children. None of the six children would purposely disobey their dad when they were young. Arial remembers one day when Kendall must have did or said something incorrect. Their dad was so outraged at Kendall, he used an electrical cord to discipline Kendall. Arial stood behind a tree, trembling and crying for Kendall. The electrical cord broke the skin and blood began to ooze down Kendall's skinny legs. He was only about nine years old. He was crying so hard, and begging his dad to stop! Arial is much older now, but she has never forgotten this beating Kendall received; she also has no idea why! Arial never disobeyed her parents; this beating Kendall received reinforced what she already knew, do not cross dad!
Chapter Two
Tara was Born
Arial's mother knew she was pregnant again, this was the sixth child. Arial's mother decided to keep this pregnancy a secret. She was able to do this because when Arial was born, if you remember all of her stomach muscles ruptured during labor, so her stomach remained large. She continued to work, never informing anyone at work that she was pregnant; she worked until she went into labor. This was a shock to her friends and her employer. Eloise had another daughter, this would be the last child, and the only child their parents spoiled. Tara was her name, six pounds of joy, it took them six children to learn how to be decent parents, at least with Tara. Tara was a happy child as a small little girl. She got everything she wanted, and as she grew she demanded so much more than her siblings. She was a feisty child, the complete opposite of Arial. Tara was determined to do as she pleased, and she received very little discipline, if any.
The time arrived for Tara to start school; well she did not like school even as a first grader. Mother and dad did not have a car, so the children had to walk to school, Arial and her brothers walked with Tara to school, but this did not mean that Tara would remain at school. Tara actually entered the fourth grade, but she hated school. She had no desire to learn, she had other things on her mind. Fun; anything but school, she had friends with the same thoughts. Tara would be taken to school and sent in the front door and she would immediately exit the back door. No one remembers how the school dealt with Tara, her parents had no authority concerning Tara. Tara was determined to do as she pleased. Tara's determination increased with each passing year.
There was one adventure that Tara and a friend did that was very dangerous. They decided they would try to run away from home. It has never been known which one of them thought about this first. They would hitch hike to somewhere; that somewhere landed them in Virginia. That is a long way from South Carolina. They made it to Virginia, and they were surprised when they reached Virginia. They ran out of money fast, considering they really did not have but only a few dollars, which they had stolen from their parents. They also did not have a place to sleep, two children stranded in a city without food or a place to sleep. I guess in the beginning, they assumed they would do great in a new city, oh the wandering thoughts of youth. So young and so innocent, well, maybe not so innocent, very rebellious. They wandered around some city in Virginia, starving, exhausted from lack of sleep, this was not the life of luster they were prepared for. Their young minds thought they could have fun, do as they pleased, with no form of authority. Tara did not like authority, she always thought she was right and everyone else was wrong. This particular adventure was proving her wrong, and she did not want to accept the reality of the situation. It began to sink in to her thick skull that it was not going as planned. They walked around in this strange city, and finally they realized they would have to return home. Their bodies were so tired and they were feeling sick, they were trying to locate a police station. After hours of dragging their feet there it was, a police station! They were honestly happy to see that building, they were not exactly sure how to explain their situation to a policeman. They were frightened, they wanted to go home; not jail! They were lucky; the policeman was very sympathetic, especially since they wanted to return home. They did have enough sense left to provide the correct information, with the correct information the policeman quickly contacted the Kingston Police Department, and both families were notified that their children were safe. Arrangements were made for their safe return; it has been so long ago, memories have faded, no one remembers how they were returned home. I am also sure that Tara was only screamed at, nothing more. She could have gotten away with murder, that is how spoiled she was. Tara did learn a lesson, she never attempted to run away again! She learned that from the terrible ordeal she suffered, not from any punishment she received. Sometimes the best lessons learned in life are from the terrible mistakes and decisions a person chooses.
Chapter Three
Tara's Adventures
Arial, the oldest remained subdued; the boys were quite often wild, and of course there was Tara. Tara continued to skip school, she was always somewhere doing something she thought was fun. As an adult, Tara always said there was only one thing she did in her life that she was ashamed of. One particular day, she and a friend skipped school, as usual. They were not searching for trouble, they wanted to walk, they walked and laughed, just two very young girls. They continued their walk until they ended up in a rural area, a field with high grass, a few wild flowers, the sun was bright, then they spotted it, an old building in the distance. They assumed it was abandoned; but they wanted to see what was inside. They began to run, even close to the building it appeared to be abandoned. The doors were locked; curiosity got the best of them, they were determined to get inside! One of them decided to break a window, which one no one knows. One at a time, they climbed through the window; it was dark inside, very dark, considering it was so light outside. Tara stumbled around, feeling her way, she thought that it smelled so clean and fresh. She was feeling for anything, and then she felt what seemed to be furniture. She was rubbing her hand along the top of some type of wooden furniture, slowly her eyes began to adjust to the darkness, as she gazed around the large room, she began to panic; it was a church! Oh my God! She had broken into a church! There were pews, song books, and there was the pulpit! Tara was frightened, she turned and ran to the window, without an explanation to her friend she crawled out the broken window and ran as fast as her skinny legs could carry her. Tara's friend followed, screaming at her; this little girl was frightened also, but she did not know why, she just followed Tara. Tara had always went to church on Sunday's, she was only a child, but she believed in God. The thought that she had broken into a church terrified her, she feared God enough to know that she had done a terrible thing and there would be consequences sooner or later.
Tara seemed to be calmer for a while, but I guess even nightmares fade with time. When Tara reached the age of twelve, she began to see boys, there was a problem, she only saw one. His name was Don, the instant she saw this boy who was five years older than she was; she announced to anyone that would listen, that she was going to marry him. Twelve years old, and she had chosen her husband, well, two years later she did marry him, just as she said.
Chapter Four
Arial's Misgivings
Arial was the oldest and first born, and Tara was the youngest and the last child for Eloise and Frank. Arial's short life had been so isolated, she was always frightened but she never was quite sure why. Tara, well even at the age of four she was a burst of energy and mischief. Always was getting into trouble, and there was very little discipline for Tara. There were times Tara would cause trouble for Arial when she was completely innocent. Arial just took the punishment and let it go, she never told on Tara.
(Continues...)
Excerpted from Two Sisters by Arial Green Copyright © 2013 by Arial Green. Excerpted by permission of Trafford Publishing. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.
Table of Contents
Contents
Dedication....................viiPrologue....................ix
Chapter 1: The Beginning....................1
Chapter 2: Tara was Born....................7
Chapter 3: Tara's Adventures....................10
Chapter 4: Arial's Misgivings....................12
Chapter 5: Arial's Adolescence....................15
Chapter 6: Tara's Fears....................20
Chapter 7: Arial and Clark Before and After Marriage....................30
Chapter 8: Tara's Pregnancy....................37
Chapter 9: Depression and Marriage....................41
Chapter 10: Don's Return Home....................48
Chapter 11: The Day of a Nightmare....................51
Chapter 12: Tara's Wake....................61
Chapter 13: Tara's Funeral....................67
Chapter 14: Horrible Information....................74
Chapter 15: Don's Hearing....................82
Chapter 17: Call to the White House....................92
Chapter 18: Arial's Need for a Psychiatrist....................99
Chapter 19: Possibility of a Dismissal....................104
Chapter 20: Tara's Autopsy Report....................109
Chapter 21: Arial's Visit with Don....................113
Chapter 22: Time Passes On....................119