Amelia's Story

[zeldaop]

This was originally a contest but I am really proud of the way it turned out so I decided to post it here as a story
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Hello. My name is Amelia Lynn Thompson. I am 16 and live in Conneaut Ohio, and this is my story. Let me start by showing you some pics of myself.

Headshot
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Body Shot
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Family Shot
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Our family is perfect except for one thing. I'm fat and my mother isn't. She is embarassed by me. She has made up a nice little story to tell her friends. I am always introduced as her niece. She tells people that she's raising me because my mother died of Aids, which she got because she was a drug addict. If it didn't hurt so much to be disowned by your own mother, I'd laugh at the fabrication. She's so afraid of what people think that she'll put their feelings before mine. Of course, the large amounts of alcohol she drinks might explain it, but then again maybe not. I try not to let it bother me, but sometimes I can't stop the screams, or the pain. Sometimes, the only way to make the pain go away is by cutting myself. I don't know how much longer I can do this. She's gotten a lot worse lately, and has started bringing men home. It's never the same man and the way some of them look at me makes my skin crawl. I lock my door every night and pray for the day when I can leave.

[zeldaop]

You know, I'm actually considered quite smart, but not this time. This time I was a complete idiot. In more ways than one. My life changed on Thursday evening at 6:45 pm, and I didn't even realize it. The first thing that should've tipped me off was when my mother called me into her inner sanctum. It had been years since I'd stepped foot in her bedroom. It was simply not allowed. She probably thought I'd strip naked and roll around in her clothes, or something like that. Anyway, she was sitting at her vanity. I could smell the alcohol as a stood behind her. Great, I thought to myself, drunk already.

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"Amelia, don't bother cooking dinner for me tomorrow. I'm working late then going out with Garrett later. I don't want you leaving the house. If you had any friends I'd tell you not to have them over, but we don't have to worry about that do we?
"Alright mother," I said, ignoring the pointed remark. I left her room and went to mine to finish my homework. The next morning, as I was leaving for school, she said "Goodbye Amelia." This struck me as odd because I can't ever recall her saying goodbye to me in the morning. I shrugged it off and went on my way. I soon forgot all about it, chalking it up to her maybe having some vodka with her morning orange juice. I remembered it later though when I came home from school.
As soon as I walked through the door I knew something had happened. On the coffee table were cigarettes, a champagne bottle and a couple of glasses. I knew she didn't smoke so I assumed they were Garrett's.

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There was something else odd but I couldn't put my finger on it. "Mother," I called out, but got no answer. Shrugging,I put my backpack in my room and cleaned up the mess in the living room. I did my homework, made myself dinner then went into the living room to watch some tv. I still had the nagging feeling I was missing something, but for the life of me I didn't know what it was. A commercial came on advertising a local clock repair business and suddenly everything slammed into place. The ticking of the clock, that's what was missing. My eyes went to a shelve and sure enough, the heirloom clock that was my mother's pride and joy was missing. All the other pieces clicked together. How usually when I come in the door, I trip over my mother's shoes because there's usually 3 or 4 pairs lying in the way. Today I didn't. I looked and saw only a single pair lying there. I went back into the kitchen. I randomly opened some cabinets and drawers and noted some things were missing. In the bathroom the cabinet holdin her toiletries was mostly empty. Not quite willing to believe what I knew to be true, I walked slowly to her room and opened the door.
Her dresser drawers were open, and empty. some outfits lay on the bed and floor. All that was in her closet were hangers. Her luggage was missing. I walked over to her vanity. Most of the items were gone as well. All that remained was an empty tissue box and a used up tube of face cream. The only thing that hd been added was a tablet.

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I picked it up.

Amelia,
I can't take it anymore. You sicken me. How a woman as thin and beautiful as I could have such a fat, ugly, tub for a daughter is beyond me. It's because of you that your father left me, and my biggest regret is not aborting you when I had the chance. I quit my job, closed my bank account, and cashed in the few stocks I had. That gives me enough money to start a new life somewhere else. I've taken all I want from this old life. Do what you like with whatever's left. It belongs to you now. In your art room, I've left you a briefcase. The combination is 3-5-9. In it are you birth certificate, shot records, and medical records. I've also left you a thousand Simoleons. You will need to use it to find another place to live, as I canceled the lease with the landlord. You have until the end of the month to make other arrangements. The utilities will also be on until then. That is all I can give you. I do not hate you but, god forgive me, I can not love you. Live or die, I do not care. I would advise you to forget me, as I will forget you. Do not think of me as a bad mother, or as a shallow b***h. In fact do not think of me at all. As of now I will no longer think of you.
Jessica Thompson

I let the tablet drop to the floor. It's one thing to think your mother doesn't love, or even like you, it's quite another to be proven right. As I stood there, tears ran from my eyes.

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What do I do now? I left her room and walked to my art room. Sure enough there was the briefcase. I opened it and found everything she said I would. As I put it down, my gaze fell on my easel. I went over and just stared at it. On it was my latest picture. A portrait of my mother. Am I really so hard to love, mom. Am I really so bad because I'm fat.

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I wanted to forget everything, so I took a page from my mother's book. In the kitchen I found some liquor that she hadn't drunk or taken with her. I took the bottle into the living room and poured myself a glass. "Here's to you mom," I said into the quite house. I set about getting drunk. About an hour later the doorbell rang. I stood up and staggered to the door. By now I was pretty well toasted. I opened the door and there stood Garrett. I smiled sloppily at him and he leered at me. "I've come to see your Aunt. Is she here?"
"The jokes on you Garrett. She's really my mother and she's gone." Without waiting for a reply I went back to the couch. I had to sit down before I fell down. "Gone, gone, gone," I chanted to myself. "Come join me for a drink and we'll toast to my mother." He came and sat down beside me. We had a couple of drinks, then he put his arm around me, pulled me close, and kissed me. He stood up, took my hands, looked me in the eyes, and said "let's go to your room."

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My brain, dulled with alcohol was screaming, no this isn't right, but my bruised heart and spirit told me that at least someone wanted me. I led him to my room. It was still dark out when we arose. Oh my god, what have I done?

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Garrett got dressed and left without a word. I ran to the bathroom and drew a bubble bath. I stayed in the tub for hours, trying to scrub the truth of what I'd just done off my skin.

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After my bath, I stumbled to the couch and passed out. The next morning I felt terrible. I was hungover and remembered everything from the night before. I went to my room and got dressed. Numbly, I went to the kitchen to get something to drink. As I walked out, everything hit me. I was alone. My own mother had abandoned me, and I had just made the biggest mistake of my life. It became too much and I broke down.

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Stop it, I commanded myself. Crying over your stupidity is not going to help matters. I squared my shoulders and went out to get the morning paper. I had a lot to do. First thing was to try to find a cheap place to live. As I looked through the paper I vowed to myself that I was going to survive this. I was strong.

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A random thought floated through my mind. I was strong, yes, but was I strong enough?

[zeldaop]

Dear mother,
It's been 2 years to the day since you've left. I started writing you this letter because a lot has gone on in my life since you've been gone. Perhaps someday you will get this letter and realize that maybe, just maybe, you were wrong. Maybe, if you see these pictures your heart will thaw. First, I have someone I'd like you to meet.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e362/zeldaop/Teen/snapshot_d26c3f0b_926c5352.jpg

This is Joy hugging our cat MewMew. She's your granddaughter, Mother. Her father was your old boyfriend Garrett. Let's just say he knew the right time to take advantage of a situation. He has never met her either. He never knew I was pregnant, although I did see him once again before I left town. I took my lead from you. You know the one where you don't think about other people. I told him that if he didn't give me some money I'd go to the police and have him charged with stauatory rape. He called me several colorful names, but gave me 2,000 simoleons. I sold all I could, bought a POS car, packed my clothes and art supplies and hit the road. I eventually wound up in a place called Simsville. I bought a small house quaintly referred to as a fixer upper. I went to a thrift store and bought some furniture and appliances. I didn't bother trying to register for school because about 3 weeks after I arrived, I discovered I was pregnant. At first I considered giving her up. After all, what could I offer a child? But I decided to keep her because I loved her from the begining. During my pregnancy I worked at a small florist shop as a cashier.

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After Joy was born, I quit that job and started painting in ernest. I've always been talented that way mother. In fact the portrait I did of you I sold for 1,100 simoleons. Anyway, I figured that if I painted at home, I could be there for Joy. Things weren't always easy, many times money was/is tight. Joy and I still share a single bedroom.

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But she lacks for nothing, including a doting, loving mother. I was there for all the important times in her life. Her first words. Potty training. Her first steps.

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Being a mother is the best thing I've ever done. It doesn't even have to be big things. Things like sharing a meal,

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snuggling,

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and tucking her in at night make everyday worthwhile.

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As you can see, I've even lost some weight. Running after an active toddler does that I suppose. It's funny how some habits linger on. At first, I kept to myself. I was afraid that I'd get sent to a home and my baby would be taken away. Anyone that had to know was told that I was 19. That all changed a year after I'd moved in. A lady named Jane moved into the aoartment complex next door. We were acquaintance, but that all changed one day. She came over to borrow a cup of sugar, I know corny but true, and found me bawling in the back yard. Even after being on my own for a year, and having Joy, your leaving still had the power to hurt me. I tried not to think of it, but I'm not that strong I guess. Anyway she took me into the house, got me a glass of water, then sat beside me. In a rush I'd told her everything. How you hated me beacuse I was fat, how you'd just left one day, how I'd gotten drunk an slept with Garrett. I couldn't stop the words even though I was just 17 and could still be sent away and have Joy taken from me. She just listened.

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After I was done, she got up and grabbed me some tissues. "Wipe you eyes honey." I did so. "Are you going to tell anyone?" She snorted. "Don't you worry about that. I'm not telling anyone anything. It's no one's business but yours. Besides, your close enough to 18 that no one can do anything about it." At that moment Joy woke up from her nap and started crying. We bothe stood. "Go take care of your daughter Amelia. We'll talk later." She gave me a hug before leaving.

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So that's it. You left and I survived. Jane convinced me to get my GED. Once Joy gets old enought to go to school, I'd like to start taking some college classes. But for now it's enought to be a mother and a painter.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e362/zeldaop/Teen/snapshot_d26c3f0b_d26c4eee.jpg


I still don't understand how you could abandon your own child. I love Joy with all my heart and could never fathom leaving her. I guess I'll never undertand, but I can forgive. After all, if you hadn't left I wouldn't have Joy and she's worth any amount of heartache and struggle. Maybe someday I'll understand but til then I remain your daughter
Amelia Lynn Thompson

[zeldaop]

It was a beautiful summer day and we were having a picnic. Jane was preparing the grill for the hamburgers, Joy was playing, and I was in the house making a salad. As I was cutting up the veggies, I reflected on the last 5 years. My career as a painter had really taken off and as a result I had made enough money to buy a better house. It was a modest 2 bedroom but had plenty of amenities including a backyard where Joy could safely play, and a view of the ocean.

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Joy was excited about having her own room. I let her pick out the colors she wanted, expecting her to go with pink, but she chose light green. I even had a small office off my bedroom that I turned into an art studio.

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Best of all, our new place was only half a mile from our old place so we get to see Jane frequently. Jane has become very special to both of us and Joy even calls her "Grammy" Jane. As I washed my hands, I watched Joy playing on her swing set.

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The doorbell rang. Quickly I dried my hands and went to open the door. The smile I had been wearing slipped from my face. All I could do was shrug and stare blankly at the figure that stood there.

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"Mother," I whispered.
"Hello Amelia. It's been a long time. May I come in?" Numbly, I stood back and allowed her into my home. I was shocked. Shocked by the fact that after all these years, she had come back. And shocked by her appearance. Her once beautiful looks had deteriorated greatly. Her eyes were sunken and had lost their sparkle. her hair hung dull and lifeless around a too thin face. She had always been thin, but now was painfully so. I just stood there as she sat on my couch.

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I had sometimes dreamt of the day when she'd come back and of all the things I'd say to her, but now I was mute, everything forgotten. I had often heard the saying the tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife and now I knew exactly what that meant. Who knows how long the silence would've stretched on if Joy hadn't come into the room.

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"Mommy, Grammy Jane wants to know if she should start the hamburgers yet." My mother's head whipped around and she stared at my daughter. At that moment I knew I had to get Joy out of the house.
"Tell Jane that we're out of buns and that I'd like the two of you to go get some. Tell her that my old acquaintance Jessica stopped by." I hoped that Jane would keep Joy out long enough for me to finish my visit with my mother. Joy nodded and went outside. A few minutes later I heard them leave. My mother still hadn't spoken. She stood up and moved to a chair. 'You should've introduced me to my granddaughter Amelia. She's very pretty." Now, I know my daughter's pretty, but hearing her say it brought back every nasty thing she'd ever said to or about me. I let my temper explode, and it wasn't very pretty.

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"Why would I do something as stupid as that? She doesn't know who you are. She doesn't even know your name."
"Why haven't you told her about me. After all, I"m her family too."
"And just what would you have me tell her? That you were a horrible mother? That you were embarrassed of me. That you lied about being my mother? That you left me when I was barely old enough to take care of myself. How about I tell her exactly how she came to be conceived? That on the night you left me, I got drunk and let your boyfriend Garrett have *** with me. Or maybe I can tell her more sbout you. How you'd go out and get drunk and come home with a different guy every night. Maybe I can show her your finally letter to me." I stopped as I noticed her crying.

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Sighing wearily, my anger spent, I sank into the chair opposite hers. "D**n you mother. Why did you have to come back?" We just sat and stared at each other.

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"I'm dying Amelia. Too many years of alcohol drugs, and promiscuity have taken their toll. I don't have much time left. My doctor says it's only a matter of months now. I had to find you. I want to make my peace with you before I die. You're right Amelia. Everything you said is true. I was a horrible mother. Your father left because of my drinking and I blamed you for it. It was easier than facing my own weakness. Making you feel inadequate was the only way I could make myself feel better. I can't make up the past, all I can do is apologize for it. I'm sorry Amelia, so very sorry. I came to beg for your forgiveness. You have every right to hate me, but please at least tell me you forgive me."
"Mother, I don't hate you, and I forgave you long ago. It was on the night Jy was born. I loved my daughter so much, and I knew I wouldn't be a good mother to her unless I gave up my demons. I don't like you mother. I'm not even sure I love you anymore, but I forgive you." She wiped away her tears and reached into her bag and pulled out a clock.

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"I wanted to give you this. It has been in my family for years. Maybe someday, you can give it to Joy. Maybe someday, she'll know who I was." She got up and walked to the door. I jumped up. "Mother," I said and threw myself into her arms. I cried as I hugged my mother for the last time

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"I'm sory mother. You don't know how much I would've liked things to work out differently, but thet can't. Joy's innocent in all this, and I want to keep her that way for as long as possible. Someday she'll know about you, but not now." She smiled wanly.
"That's what makes you such a good mother, and me such a poor one. The desire to put your child's wellbeing ahead of your own. Goodby Amelia." I watched my mother walk down the stairs and ot of my life again, bit at least this time I was able to say goodbye. I closed the door and leaned my forehead against it.
"Mommy, are you ok," I heard Joy ask from behind me.

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"I'm fine honey. Just saying goodbye to an old friend. Come look what she gave us." Together we looked at the clock on the shelf.

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I gave her a hug.

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"Lets go have our picnic now ok," She smiled and took my hand. Outside we sat down to our meal and I felt totally at peace with my mother, and myself. I loked at Jane and the at Joy at knew they were all the family I needed. My heart was finally whole again. As I enjoyed my meal I thought to myself, "I hope you found the peace you were looking for mother. I have. Goodbye"

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[ilovesims2]

wow ............ amazing story. I love it a LOT!!! well done!:wav:

[LyricLee]

Z this is amazing girl! I love your story. I feel so bad for your girl. Wonderfully well made! You should make tons and tons more!

[GenericImbroglio]

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This was a fantastic story! I cant believe how enthralled I was by all of this. You should continue this. Bring Joy into her teen years and show that moment when the clock gets passed on! Thanks so so much!