DYING TO SURVIVE (Dark Erotica) Read Free Page A

children at this age was entertaining for the mother to witness. The mother turned away to keep from laughing as the daughter climbed up and over the seat, back pack in tow.
    Looking at the reflection in the rearview mirror, Meghan admired her daughter’s image. The similarities between the two were striking. The daughter was certainly an extension of the mother, and reflected her genes. The mother smiled a smile of pride as she started the SUV.
    “Momma?” Amanda asked as the vehicle began to back out of the garage.
    “Yes, sweetie?” Meghan responded.
    “Momma, why are butterflies so pretty, but crickets are so ugly?” the little girl asked.
    The mother coughed a laugh, “Well honey, let’s see. God gives us all kinds of things on this earth, and some are beautiful and some aren’t. But everything has a purpose.”
    “What about people, momma? Brandon is ugly, momma,” Amanda stated flatly as she looked out the window.
    “Oh baby. People can’t help how they look. People are like butterflies and crickets, I suppose. Everyone has a place and a purpose. Everyone is beautiful in their own way,” Meghan looked in the rearview mirror for a response, pursing her lips to keep from smiling.
    “Momma, Brandon is uggggleeeee,” Amanda turned and looked into the mirror, directly at her mother’s reflection.
    “Honey, Brandon can’t help what he looks like. Do you understand? All people are beautiful in some way. I bet if you give Brandon a chance, you’ll see that he’s very nice,” Meghan stated as she turned the corner slowly and waited for her daughter to digest what had been said.
    The little girl turned and stared out the window.
    After a moment of silence, Meghan began to wonder the young girl’s thoughts. She didn’t like thinking of her hating anyone or not seeing the good that Brandon may have to offer. She broke the silence with the hope of persuasion.
    “Sweetie, have you tried to talk to him?” Meghan asked softly.
    Amanda turned from the window and looked into the mirror, “No, momma. He smells like peanut butter.”
    Meghan laughed out loud. The thought of someone smelling like peanut butter caused her to smile. As she continued to drive, she imagined a man of peanut butter odor asking her on a date. Pulling into the school entrance, she decided she would go on the date as long as the man was a true gentleman.
    A true gentlemen with good taste.
    Meghan parked and exited her door. As she opened the rear door of the vehicle, she noticed the young girl pulling against the restraints in the seat.
    “Sweetie, just a minute, I’ll unbuckle you. Are you anxious to get to school?” Meghan smiled.
    Amanda nodded and grabbed her backpack as the mother unbuckled the car seat. As soon as the buckle was undone, Amanda began to slither between the door of the car and the mother’s leg.
    “Hey, come here. Give me a kiss,” Meghan shouted as the young girl took off running toward the door.
    As Amanda stood on her tip toes, the mother bent down to kiss her. “Your momma loves you, Amanda.”
    “Love you,” Amanda smiled as she tugged on her overweight back pack.
    “Remember, everyone and everything has a purpose, okay?” Meghan said as the daughter walked away.
    Amanda nodded a sharp exaggerated nod.
    “Get going,” Meghan laughed.
    As Amanda turned and ran toward the school door, the mother wondered how she could ever go a day without seeing her. Next year would certainly be a challenge. Living in a small suburb had advantages, but nothing could shelter her from the fact that her only daughter was going to grow up.
    Two more weeks of school, the summer, and Amanda would be gone. Meghan smiled as she watched Amanda pull the door open to walk into the school. As the young girl walked past the glass door, she turned and waved. That, standing alone, provided the mother all the reason in the world to smile.
    And she did.
    Meghan got into the car and slowly drove along the paved drive away from the