Scrubbing(Cam Rascoe) Sally, the middle child O'Malley, was a tiny but forceful individual. Her force showed itself rarely in the physical; it was usually mental or emotional. She was a controller, using her peers as vectors to infect this world with her own special sickness. Highly critical with harsh critique, the world was beneath her and whatever it had to offer just wasn't good enough. Everything was lame, corny or even whack if she was feeling extra urban. Sally wasn't a horrible person, her behavior stemmed from a desperate need to be heard. At a tender age she learned that there was no need to compete with other girls for popularity through sports or academics. All she had to do was oppose what the rest of the children loved. The critic always has a voice, oddly people value what they say more than those who love and adore them. Being sarcastic and critical made her popular. Other girls followed her and took her opinions to heart. She was deemed “cool” because she played the part.

Blonde, petite and cute, Sally had no trouble attracting boys to abuse. If they had the honor of dating her, they had better play by her rules and meet her demands. No one could possibly please Sally O'Malley, so many an adolescent male's heart had been crushed in her little palm. When she broke up with a popular boy or athlete it gave her even more clout. Sally was always the dumper never the dumpie. She dated some guys just so that she could dump them and be celebrated for it. Mother O'Malley witnessed some of her daughter's treatment of her young suitors. She chalked it up to her little girl being afflicted with a tad bit of middle child meanness. Her baby was just starved for attention, so she was acting out. Mama kept her in the latest fashion which gave her even more status and people tried to emulate her style. Sally O'Malley was truly a trend setter.

Mean girl master, leader of the pack of lip glossed coeds at the top of the social food chain. A following, mentions and memes were used to crush the opposition on the other side of her screen. Filters and fly gear created a larger than life image for the diminutive diva and Sally basked in all of her social media glory. Walking high school halls her senior year trailed by an entourage of O'Malley fans, Sally knew the world to be her oyster.

Her behavior continued in college especially after she rushed and became a sorority sister. Freshman Sally was never treated as an underclassman. She was seen as an equal right away because of her perceived maturity and influence. Invited to several social events and gatherings for collegiate elite was Sally at the tender age of eighteen. She dated upperclassmen and graduate students but she still kept a tight grip on her underclassmen peers. She started holding her “O'Malley Rallies” where she and her followers would discuss plans for parties, upcoming events and who they would punish next for their transgressions against the group. A simple perceived slight, wrong word said or dating a guy someone in the group desired could place you square in their cross hairs. Many of their victims never knew they were in a fight until it was too late, scarring their reputation and losing their friends and or mate. Sally had her most fun “Scrubbing”.

“Scrubbing” was something the girls did to show their dominance or supreme influence over others. Each of the girls would choose an unpopular young man and pretend to have feelings for him. The unpopular, beyond flattered, would do anything in his power to hold onto her affections. Every fellow they chose for their scrubbing exercise was a bright young man who dedicated himself to his studies. They were looking more for nerds than dweebs or geeks. The academics were a huge part of the process. These young socialites couldn't be bogged down with doing research or writing long papers, so they would have their scrubs do it for them. Scrubbing season started at the beginning of the second semester. They would scope out talent the first semester, hold a draft for the available scrubs and then pursue the scrub they drafted when they returned from Fall break.

The boys, never being pursued by the opposite sex, always quickly fell head over heals in love with the young lady showing them attention. There was nothing that they wouldn't give, or do for their sweethearts. The timing for the scrubbing season was purposeful. The girls all wanted help with their exams, projects and papers due before winter break. They would also bilk their beaus for all the money, gifts and favors possible. In return they got to be seen with a pretty girl in public. She would help him with his attire and confidence, raising his profile and making him popular.

Ride this wave of false love he would until the wave came crashing down on him. After getting all they desired from the boy they would ghost him over the holidays. No contact would be made or accepted, blocked from all communication and not knowing how to find her, he would be devastated. Tears caused by false love soaked, then stained their pillows at night.

Amused by the misled miring in misery was Sally and her coed cohorts. Her smile spread ear to ear with prideful delight every time she deceived then dumped. In the spring after returning to school, the first thing their victims did was seek them out for understanding, reasoning, compassion or at the minimum closure.

They would allow them in their presence in a public setting and then break up with them for the entire campus to see. Crudely and cruelly they would dump and devastate them publicly, accusing them of being too needy, thirsty or just weak. Some girls even went as far as to call her former “boyfriend” a stalker. Here this guy would be standing with tears in his eyes being berated by a beauty he thought to be his. Never had their lips, more less their genitals, touched but he was still oh so in love, now broken. Sometimes in addition to being left with a broken heart, the young men were left broke as well. There would be no expense too great if it pleased the love of their lives. In return, if she knew he had the means, there was no material item too extravagant for her to request from him. Many a fool had gone into debt chasing love from Sally and her Sultry Sisters.

Being scrubbed worked out better for some of the guys than others. One of three positive things can come out of the awful less than romantic experience. Sometimes there would be a girl looking on, witnessing this poor guy suffering verbal and emotional abuse and feel sorry for him. She might see him as sweet and think he needs fixing, rebound relationship. Secondly some girls don't witness the break up but knew that the guy was dating a popular girl. Now that he was back on the market, she figured she would snatch him up before anyone else got their hands on him. Thirdly and most commonly, the boys would be left with a lesson in love but unfortunately not in lust. There was no affection had and there in lied the key clue for each of them. If a woman wants you, she will show you physically not just verbally.

Champion charlatan, untold number of untruths had Sally spewed in her young life but her manipulation and emotional devastation would soon burden her to no end. Sally was now in her junior year, dating an Ivy League man four years her senior. It was a long distance relationship but they found ways to make it work, visiting often. Sally was by no means a needy girl so there was no need for constant phone calls and messages. Occasional aloof lovers they were but Sally saw their relationship as serious and lasting. Brad was husband material, they were saving their love making for marriage.

Then there was Sally's latest scrub that she was grooming to serve her, Peter. Peter was from a well to do family and was a quite studious young academic, graduating at the top of his high school class. He was also a water polo, volleyball and Lacrosse player in high school but decided to focus on his studies in college. Peter was no normal scrub lacking in confidence, self image or experience with the opposite sex. He did all that he could to make Sally happy just like all the others but for different reasons. Peter liked having an upperclassmen girlfriend that was in the inner circle. He wanted to make her happy because he wanted to be with her, not because he thought no one else would want to be with him. Sally found herself spending more time with Peter than Brad and certainly more than any other scrub that she had been with before. Late night study sessions, she found herself doing more to help him with his academics than using him to complete hers. They shared take out Chinese on her balcony while watching the late fall sun set. Peter stole a kiss, Sally didn't resist. That night she broke her rule of giving affection to a scrub. Peter was her first scrub and she was left conflicted as she lay in his arms.

When she woke the next morning, there Peter was with take out from her favorite breakfast spot and hot coffee. They never parted company that weekend and for the first time in her life, Sally thought that she might be falling in love. The ice around her cold little heart had been melted. She was now warmed and filled with love. This was the happiest she had ever been but she knew that she couldn't get in too deep with Peter. She had her social status to consider. Peter made her feel good but she would never allow herself to be fully vested. Sally knew that she needed to put a little time and space between her and Peter. She need not worry, Peter would do that for her. His world did not revolve around Sally O'Malley.

“Peter it's me again, just wondering what's going on with you. I don't mean to blow you up but I was getting a little concerned. Please give me a call when you get a chance.”

Sally wouldn't hear from him until the next afternoon. She jumped to answer her phone once she heard his special ringtone. “Hello Peter, how are you?”

“I'm good Sally, how are you doing?”

“I am worried. Where have you been?” There was a pause before he answered and Sally could hear muffled voices in the background. She called out to him. “Peter?”

“Hey Sally. Um, I was just hanging out with the guys last night. I had a few too many so I slept it off at my buddy's place.”

“Your buddy? Where did you stay?”

“You don't know these guys, they're from my home town.”

Sally realized how needy she sounded so she tried to regain the cool in her voice.
“Oh, okay. That's cool. I was just concerned about you, that's all.”

“That's sweet. Hey, me and the guys are heading back home for a four day weekend.”

“When are you leaving?”

“I'm packing now.”

"Oh, so I won't see you before you go?”

“I'm sorry Sally, the guys wanted to leave early so that we could make good time.”

She was caught off guard and taken aback. “Oh, well don't let me keep you. I guess you can give me a call when you arrive so that I at least know that you got there safe.”

Again there was silence from Peter and she could hear mumbled conversation and shuffling around. Suddenly he came back in. “Yes Sally, I will call you as soon as I get home. Have a great day. Talk to you then.”

“Okay Peter. Oh, well. Bye.”

“Bye.”

Abruptly the call was ended and Sally felt emotions she had never felt before. She was feeling a tad bit jilted, angry, worried about what he was doing and needing his touch. She spoke to herself as she looked in the mirror.
“Get it together girl. He's just a scrub, who cares what he does and why do you keep saying “Oh”? Remember, Brad is our future. Scrubs are just toys to play with.”

After giving herself a stern pep talk, Sally decided that she would reach out to her main beau and future husband, Mr. Bradly Stailey. She called, there was no answer. Sally decided to call back and leave a message but the call was ended prematurely. She wasn't sure but it seemed like Brad may have ended the call manually when he saw it was her. She decided to text. The text was delivered but there was no response. This did not make Sally happy but she refused to let it ruin her day. She called some of her subjects together so that they could fawn over her while buying her dinner and drinks.

At the Pub where the campus elite congregated they met to pay for overpriced entrees and watered down drinks. Sally was hurting inside so she was extra mean to everyone around. Unbearably undermining, sarcastic, critical and insulting was O'Malley to the waitstaff, her fans and anyone foolish enough to stop by their table. After an hour of ruining everyone's good time, Sally excused herself to use the ladies' room. She was shocked and appalled by what she saw on the other side of the restaurant. There Peter was sitting at a booth with a bunch of girls, girls that Sally didn't like!

“Peter! I thought you were headed home with the guys, instead I find you sitting here with these skanks!”

Three of the four girls that Peter was sitting with were rivals that Sally had settled scores with in previous semesters. They were all free with information about their ordeals with Sally O'Malley. Peter fully understood now exactly who and what Sally was. She continued her rant.

“You and these trashy whores.”

The girls had enough of Sally's insults.

“Oh real classy Sally, but then again that's what you're known for, your class.”

They all laughed at Sally's expense, infuriating her. She continued yelling at Peter in an attempt to belittle him. He finally stood and interrupted her. By this time it seemed that everyone in the Pub was paying attention to what they were saying and doing.

“Look Sally, it is over. I don't ever want to see you again, you are a horrible person. You torment and put down everyone you meet to make yourself seem big or important, but you're not! No one even likes you, not even your so called friends.”

He looked over at the group of girls who were sitting with her and they kind of all shrugged and shared knowing looks. Peter continued on.

“I know why you act out. You are just a sad little girl trying to share your pain. You thought that you were going to manipulate me, treat me like one of your scrubs, but who's scrubbing now? We no longer require your presence Sally O'Malley. Please go!”

Sally's rivals all called out with jovial voices and giggles as they hugged on Peter.

“Bye Sally!”

Sally turned and stormed away, out of the pub without saying a word to anyone. She had never been so mortified in her entire life. She wasn't just mortified, she was actually heart broken. She couldn't believe that Peter would do this to her, how dare he! As she drove back to her condominium she could hear her older cousin's voice in her head warning her about the way she treated people. Meghan O'Malley witnessed the way her younger cousin treated her peers and the young men she dated. She saw a lot of her former self in her young cousin so she offered her a word to the wise.

“You know Sally, the way we treat people says a whole lot about how we feel about ourselves. Karma is alive and what we put out into the world comes back to us. If you treat people poorly, eventually people will treat you poorly as well. Be kind and sweet and the whole world will love you. You are a pretty girl Sally, be beautiful inside and out.”

Sally scoffed at the discernment disseminated by her elder kin. Sally had no value for anything that Meghan or any of the other O'Malley's from her side of the family had to say. Sally saw herself as superior to them because her father was Charles O'Malley, CEO of their family's company. He inherited the title from his father, the company's founder. Meghan's father on the other hand was an absconder from family and fatherhood, lost in a bottle. Her mother divorced him when Meghan was ten but kept the O'Malley name and stayed in good graces with the family. She was a good woman wronged by the man she loved. She would always be welcomed as an O'Malley, but they were lesser in Sally's young eyes, so to her their word held no value. On this day she would learn further, the truth in Meghan's moral messaging.

Sally poured herself a glass of Riesling and plopped down in her leather captain's chair. She was close to tears, but refused to give Peter or his skanks the satisfaction, as if they were present. They were present, in her head. She could see them laughing and jeering in her mind. One tear forced it's way out and down her cheek. It burned hot with anger, hurt and sadness. Quickly she wiped it away and then picked up the phone to call Brad again. Sally decided to look to her bright future, this college stuff would soon be the past. Before she left her life as a co-ed she vowed to get revenge on Peter and the Skanks!

To Sally's dismay there was no answer when she called Brad. She needed the reassurance of his affections at that moment. She left him a short message.

“Hey Babe it's me. I have been trying to get in touch with you. I really just wanted to hear your voice. I need to get off campus. I am going to get a flight in, please give me a call when you get a chance. Love you, bye.”

Sally booked her flight right away. She needed to leave to save face. She would return victorious after a lovely weekend with her soon to be highly successful fiancee. If anyone brought up what happened at the pub she would be aloof and pretend that it was no big deal. Good riddance, Sally O'Malley was on to bigger and better things. That was Sally's plan, but she would suffer yet another stinging surprise. She called Brad when she touched down, still no answer. Sally took a cab to Brad's building, the doorman helped her with her bags into the elevator and she made her way up to Brad's abode.

As she approached the door she could hear that there was a party going on. It was odd, her conservative Brad didn't like to party. He was a buttoned up and straight laced man from a blue bloodline. She rang the door bell and there was no answer so she banged on the door with the side of her fists several times until someone came to the door. She was shocked by how she was greeted with great attitude as the door swung open.

“What! Honey you don't come here knocking like you're the police! I heard about doing it till the cops come knockin' but this is ridiculous. I think you have the wrong place girlfriend.”

Sally looked up at this large man in drag with her mouth hanging open. She couldn't wrap her mind around what she was seeing or hearing. He snapped her out of her trance with his sharp tone and wit.

“Look, take a picture girl, it'll last longer. You know I am very photogenic!”

He struck a pose then continued on.

“State your business please.”

Sally stammered.

“Ah, is Brad here?”

The man in drag gasped and covered his mouth with both of his large hands.

“Oh my Honey, You must be the Beard.”

Then he turned and announced it to the rest of the party.

“Hey y'all, the Beard is here! Come on in girl. You want a drink, you're probably gonna need it. I'll get Bradly for you.”

He snapped and another gentleman dressed in an evening gown handed her a cosmopolitan. Sally took a big gulp as she looked around the penthouse. She didn't recognize the place; it was as if she was visiting for the first time. Party goers offered their critique and harsh criticism of her as they passed by.

“Oh, this is the beard? I guess she's cute enough but Bradly could have picked one with some hips or a little bit of ass at least.”
“You know Bradly likes them little boy types, square and flat, girl. No curves and no swerve Honey.”

The man twisted and shimmied in his heels making his shining dress shimmer. His words cut Sally deep and she hated that she was in awe of the dress he was wearing. Others talked about her thin blonde hair, frumpy outfit and run over shoes. Sally knew that she wasn't looking her best but they made her feel down right ugly. Again she fought back tears. Suddenly she heard a voice behind her that she recognized oh so well. He spoke in a higher pitch but it was Brad. She turned to finally see the real Bradly Stailey. There he stood looking flamboyantly fabulous. Sally almost passed out, she couldn't recognize him; was this the man she loved?

“Hello Sally. How are you Hun?”

Sally looked like she was about to break down. Bradly sensed this so he asked her out onto his spacious patio. He directed everyone inside as he and Sally walked out. She looked out over the city and thought back to the first time she stood in that spot. Sally felt like she owned the city, all in her sight would belong to them, her future was going to be so bright. Now, in this moment, her world was crashing down all around her. Now, she just wanted to know how and why? With tears in her eyes she turned to Brad.

“Brad, how could you do this to me? Why?”

She was expecting a sympathetic apology but she received something far different and much needed.

“Oh Honey wipe those damn crocodile tears. You know your little nasty ass deserves it.”

Sally was dumbfounded.

“What? What do you mean? Why are you being so cruel?”

Bradly offered a dramatic belly laugh at her expense.

“Girl you really need to stop.”
“So, you're gay?”
“Yes, and you're not bright.”
“Please stop being mean to me!”
“Stop being mean, mean, mean, do you ever stop being mean to people? Do people matter to you? Do you see them just as objects to manipulate, bend to your will or service you? Oh you are the worst and you don't even know it!”

Sally was quiet for a moment, sobbing lightly while reflecting on the events of her life.

Bradly waited for it to sink in on her before continuing. “By the way, everyone calls me Bradly, not Brad. Brad sounds so butch. Oh and ah, you don't remember me do you?”

Sally examined him but she couldn't even make out Brad more less some person she met in the past. She quizzed him.

“Where would I remember you from?”
“We met on your campus.”
“I know, in the quad.”
“You're right, but two years earlier. I was with my cousins Sara and Jacob.”

A light bulb went off in Sally's head but she was still a little fuzzy on the details. She had forgotten all about Jacob, one of her first scrubs. She remembered taking the guy Sara liked too. It was a two for one. A sinister smile began to curl on her thin lips. It was noticed by Bradly.

“I see you remember them. Thoughts of them bring you pleasure? I can tell by your smirk little smile. Do you know what happened to them? I bet you don't do you? But then again I am sure you don't really care anyway do you? If it doesn't concern you, it is of no importance right?”

Sally looked puzzled. She was genuinely curious.

“Well my younger cousins' mother was mentally ill and she ran off and left them to be raised by their father, my uncle. Both kids suffered from depression and trauma from being rejected. Their mother committed suicide during Sara's senior year in high school. It took them both a long time to learn to function but they did it. Sara took a gap year and enrolled in college with her brother so that they could be together to support one another in their new environment. Things were going well initially, Sara made a friend and Jacob met a girl. Sara had a guy she had been dating since middle school who she thought that she would marry one day. Unfortunately for my young cousin her boyfriend would dump her after six years of dating with no closure or explanation whatsoever. He ghosted her. She was devastated!”

Sally started to recall the brother, sister and beau that she stole and then quickly disposed of. She didn't even really like him. She just wanted to see if she could break them up and take him if she wanted to. The whole ordeal brought Sally temporary joy, she quickly moved on after leaving devastation in her wake.

“I remember helping my cousins getting settled in and feeling like they were in good hands. This would be a great new beginning for the two of them. Little did I know they would be tormented to death by a little mean girl who was nasty just for the sake of being nasty. You see, after you shattered their fragile little worlds the two of them made a suicide pact. They carried it out over winter break just days before I was to visit them. You don't recognize me because at the time I was just their gay cousin, quite forgettable. When I learned of their deaths I mourned and I hated. I hated you! I am not however a violent person so I figured I would just play your nasty little game.”

Sally looked to be contrite but Bradly wasn't buying it. He continued on with the details of his deception.

“You see, my family is homophobic and the only people in the family that I could confide in were my cousins. They never judged or shunned me, they just loved me because I was their cousin. I needed to conceal who I was until I secured the bag. My grandfather passed away and I finally got my inheritance. Also I am finishing grad school and I have my new job secured. I am set. So, even if my parents disown me I don't care what those bigots think. I've got money and a career so now I'm coming out! This whole party is being live streamed so that all of my parents' socialite friends can see what kind of queer their son is. That is why we are all dressed in drag, for some of us it is our first time dressing up. I just wanted to make a big production of their shame. I had them meet you to keep up the rouse and give them hopes of grandchildren. I am a great actor don't you agree?”

Bradly let out a boisterous laugh, proud of his skill set and how well he fooled Sally.

Sally had questions of her own. “So when you told me that you wanted to wait until we got married before we were intimate that was just a lie.”
“Duh.”
“But we did other things. I performed oral sex on you. I never do that, I only did it because I thought you were going to be my husband. I can't believe you!”
“Don't flatter yourself girl, it was D+ at best. That was my first and last time with a girl, ugh it was so uninspiring.”
“So you have never even been with a woman?”
“No, never. Kissing you was disgusting, it took all I had to keep from vomiting. So gross!”

Sally felt herself about to break down. She had to get out of that place. She turned to run past Brad and that is when the party started to pour outside, cameras rolling. Again she was mortified but she was now the guest of honor.
Bradly turned back on his smile for the cameras then they panned to Sally.

“And here ladies and gentlemen we have The Beard. Bradly has a type as you can see, square and flat, one long back, no bubble for your trouble. No jelly or jam, no ma'am!”

Sally ran into the penthouse and out the front door. The doorman tried to wish her a great day but she ran by him in a blur of tears once she exited the elevator. Sally hailed a cab and drove straight to the airport. Once again on the drive over that message from Meghan O'Malley popped in her head. This time it stuck. Her life was in shambles and she had nowhere to turn. She hadn't spoken to her older cousin in two years. As she sat at the airport bar nursing a drink, she decided to swallow her pride and give Meghan a call.

“Hello, Meghan?”
“Yes, Sally? How are you?”
“I've been better.”
“Are you okay?”
“Not really, I am about to fly into town. Would you mind if I stopped by?”
“No, not at all. We need to catch up anyway. I'll get take out from that Italian place you love so much.”
“That sounds great. I should be in around eight.”
“Cool, you need me to pick you up?”
“No, I don't want to put you out. I'll just grab a cab. You having me over is enough.”
“It' not a chore or burden, I am happy that you are finally coming to visit. You know you have an open invitation.”
“Again, thank you so much Meghan. I really appreciate you.”
“Well call me when you get in.”
“I will, oh and Meghan...”
“Yes.”
“You were right.”

With that Sally started to sob again. All of the pain rushed through her, so much loss, loss of love and loss of life. She couldn't believe her nasty little games had caused two people to take their own lives. She really was the worst.

“It's okay Sally, it's okay. Just get here and I promise you, we'll work it out together.”
“Okay.”
“Alright, keep your head up and look forward to a fun and fabulous night!”
Sally wiped her tears and tried to think positive.
“Thank you again and I'll call you when I get in. I love you Meghan.”
Meghan was caught off guard, never had she heard Sally say she loved someone.
“Love you too Sally. See you when you get here.”
“Bye.”
“Bye.”

Sally sipped her drink as the irony fell over her. The one that she shunned and thought to be less than her was now offering her refuge after her greatest defeat. She needed an escape from the foes she created on campus and shelter for her broken heart. Sally was finally raw and fragile yet wiser in heartache and heartbreak. Never again would Sally play with a person's emotions nor be cruel for no reason. The dumper now knew what it felt like to be the dumpee. No longer would Sally O'Malley be scrubbing for now she knows what it feels like to be scrubbed!

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