"Why do I have to wear this?" Submission 15 by Lee Martin

“Why do I have to wear this?” said Maria, tugging at the black satin skirt as she bounced on the passenger seat of her father’s van. Her feet dangled a few inches off the floor.

“It was your mother’s. It always brought her luck.”

“I know what it brought her,” replied Maria, scowling.

“These things happen.”

The van hit a pothole and bounced, sending her father’s cigarette flying onto the floor. He reached down to pick it up, cursing.

Steam rose from vents in the sidewalk, the feeble breath of life for crowds huddled around them.

Offices glowed orange from the morning sun. Everything smelled like coffee, grease, and cigarette smoke.

“I miss her to. Believe me…and now we’ll have to start back at square one.”

Maria looked out her window; it felt like the van was just wiggling in place while the world passed. She could see her own round olive face in the window.

“This was your mother’s too,” said her father as he reached over and pulled an old make-up kit from the glove box. Maria pawed through it while he wiped his nose on his sleeve.

“I don’t want to!” cried Maria.

“We have a family to take care of! Look around you! Why don’t you think about someone else for a change!”

The van rattled along while Maria began choosing a lipstick.

“These things happen! If it wasn’t for your mom…” He snubbed his cigarette in the ashtray. “We all have things to do. I have things to do. Your brothers, too. It took us time to get used to, too. But this is how things really are! You’re old enough to know now. Just do as you’re told, and you’ll be fine,” said her father.

The van came to a stop next to a sand-colored building with dark windows and a few lewd posters on the walls. Glass and what looked like blood speckled the stairs. Maria’s cheeks burned despite the bitter cold. She climbed down from the van.

“I love you,” said her father. “Make sure you bring me all the money you make. If you don’t, I’ll know.”