Chapter 4 Sondra

I had no boyfriend as yet. When you are plump and shy, you are not really considered to be arm candy material, I guess. Unlike me, Sondra was considered hot. She had begun to go out with a number of boys, each one sleazier than the first.

**

My friend Beth who was walking with me had been the one who had looked embarrassed. She clutched my arm and pulled me away, adding in a fierce whisper,

'Lisa, don't let it get to you."

But something about their knowing looks and catty remarks rang true.

These days, Sondra 'tended to return home late at night, her clothes bordered on the vulgar. She deliberately kept her blouse buttons open, her skirts rode up her thighs and she looked like a woman, not a girl who was still in her teens.

The ugly remarks of the girls left me furious. When I pestered her, she finally admitted that her boyfriend had told her about it. When I pestered her, she finally admitted that her boyfriend had told her about it. Dragging Beth with me, I had gone to the old bicycle shed where I was told Sondra had been seen heading to.

What I saw made me numb.

Sondra was on her hands and knees on the ground, there was a boy riding her from behind while another had his member in her mouth. She seemed to be lost in what she was doing, her head bobbing as she sucked him while her body moved rhythmically as the other rode her. There were a few others standing around, all the members of the football team and some others waiting their turn, their flies open. The lust, the greed in their eyes as they seemed to drink in the sight, lasciviously made me nauseous. And a part of my innocence died that afternoon.

Beth had held me back, so that we were not visible to the youths standing there, watching the girl being used in such a filthy manner.

I turned around and ran away, blinded in my horror and shock.

Yes, Sondra was the school whore and she was now the sex toy of the football team.

***

Ng home, I had flung myself on the tiny bed in the room I shared with Sondra. Mamma had come in, her face tight with concern.

"What is it, love, she had asked gently,' What happened, my dove?'

'Mamma,' I sobbed, flinging my arms around her neck, bawling,' Mamma, I saw Sondra. And she was ...'

I felt my mother's slight frame stiffen.

She said nothing but I could feel her body shake with silent sobs.

I released her, concern in my mind as I asked softly,

"Mamma...you knew...?'

She wiped her large eyes, and whispered sadly,

" Yes.'

It hit me then, Mamma inventing excuses not to attend church, her reluctance to visit her old friends...She had known.

"Why, Mamma?' I cried, my teenaged heartbreaking,' Why did you not do something to stop her?'

Mamma looked at me directly.

When she spoke, the volumes of sorrow, of bitterness in her voice made me burst into tears.

"Do you think she will listen to me, Tesoro Mio?' she said softly.

***

A few months later, Sondra left us to shack up with an older man.

And that was when I first saw Paul Worthington.

It was a hot summer afternoon. I was doing the laundry, while Mumma prepared the single meal we could afford on social service. A car drew up in the tiny lane outside our house, a large, shiny black car. Sondra had not come home for three nights. I knew Mamma had been trying to contact her. My mother now looked as though she had aged ten years.

Peering through the small window in the bedroom, I saw the door open, a chauffeur opened the door and Sondra stepped out. She was wearing a strapless tank top and a tiny skirt that revealed more of her behind than was necessary. In her dark glasses and high heels, she looked stunning.

She entered the house a few minutes later and I rushed to the front door.

"Sonny, I said breathlessly,' We have been so worried...'

She cut me short by pushing me out of the way. She smelt of some exotic perfume and I saw that her pupils were like pinpoints when she took off her shades.

Mamma came out of the kitchen.

"young lady, this is your house but I will no tolerate you coming and going when you please,' cried Mamma, the battle light in her eyes.

Sondra spun on her.

"You don't need to .' she spat.

"I'm leaving. I just came to get my things.'

Mamma seemed to sag and I rushed to her, holding her in my arms,

'Sonny, I whispered,' What are you saying?'

'I am getting a life, kid.' She said rudely, pushing past to enter the bedroom,

'" Wait, Sondra,' mamma pleaded.

'" I have had it with living like a beggar, do you hear me?' she screamed at my poor mother. A man's voice interrupted her,

"Sweetie, is there a problem?'

Mamma and I turned in tandem to look at the man who had entered. A small. Oily looking man, with a large belly. A thin moustache and eyes that slid over me, making me shrink.

The change in Sondra's demeanour was remarkable.

"Oh, Paul, darling, she purred,

"I was just coming back.'

The man with the small eyes looked at us, his small teeth making him look even more repulsive to me.

"Hurry up.' He snapped and turning, walked away down the stairs, a couple of burly men tailing him.

'That was Paul Worthington, wasn't it?' said Mamma, in a voice that was little more than a whisper.

'Yes, I'm moving in with him.' Said Sondra carelessly, stuffing some of the expensive lingerie and toiletries in a large bag.

Mamma drew in a sharp breath.

"Sondra, darling, she pleaded,' That man is a pimp, don't..'

But Sondra thrust her away and began to head to the door, her bag in her hand.

"You don't know anything. Paul is going to make me a star in his movies. He promised me.' mamma ran after her,

"Sondra, baby please,' she begged.

"I am going to have a better life. I do not want to live in this hole anymore.' Snapped Sondra with finality and slammed the door behind her.

Mamma sank to the floor, weeping, great heaving sobs.

Alarmed, I sat beside her, the tears flowing down my cheeks.