Category : Books-Fiction

Sub Category : Drama

Chapter 4



   The past two weeks Josh has been kind, attentive and loving. It was like having the man I fell in love with back again. However, after what he has done to me, he makes my skin crawl. I can't let him know how I feel yet. This behavior won't last, the monster will return, it's inevitable. Until then, I went along with the charade.


  We spent the weekend at the beach, it has been a long time since I felt comfortable wearing a bikini. In fact, It's the first time in awhile that I didn't need to hide any bruises. It was actually a nice weekend. Almost what I would dream about when Josh and I were dating, what could have been. 


  Both the boys were passed out as we pulled into the garage. Josh grabbed David, while I scooped up Drew and we carefully tucked them into bed. 


  Tomorrow was Monday and Josh had to fly out to Los Angeles on business. Sometimes I would go with him, but now that we had the boys I preferred to stay home. I was happy to have the  break from him, I could relax a little. I planned on hanging with Lauren and the kids at her house tomorrow. I was looking forward to spending time with her and catching up.


  It was still dark out when Josh left. I got up and made him coffee and said goodbye. It was difficult putting up a facade to hide my true feelings, however it was worse if I did something to piss him off. I was enjoying this calmer life and I wasn't about to rock the boat.


  I went and crawled back into bed. I was still exhausted from the weekend at the beach, and I was up late doing all the laundry and unpacking. I didn't want to wait until morning and risk Josh going into one of his rages. 


  As I laid in bed staring at the ceiling I thought of her. I always thought about her. Her enticing full lips, that half smile she gave when she bought me a drink. Her milk chocolate brown eyes, and even her strong hands. I closed my eyes as I imagined her hands touching my bare body. I felt the butterflies in my tummy as I slipped my fingers inside me. I touched myself with the vision of her in my head, my body trembled as I reached my peak. I arched my back and curled my toes as the heat of my orgasm flushed through my body. I was left breathless, and alone. I rolled over and dreamt of her as I slept.



  I opened my eyes and then closed them quickly. I was unprepared for the bright sun burning through the gap in the curtains. I pulled my blanket over my head hoping for a few more minutes of sleep. 


 “Mama, mama, I'm thirsty peas” said Drew in his sleepy voice. I flipped the blanket off of my face and saw him standing on the side of the bed with his blanket in one hand, and his cup in the other. 


 “Morning sweetheart, come up here. Give mama some love.” I said as I scooped him up. He giggled with delight as I showered those chubby little cheeks with kisses. Moments later David ran in and joined us in the bed. The sound of their laughter in the morning was my favorite thing. 


  “Come on boys, let's get some donuts. Get your shoes on.” I cheered as they ran in their room fighting over who would be the fastest. I threw on my hat and sunglasses and headed out. Drew picked the pink donut with rainbow sprinkles, while David went for the classic chocolate. The sweet lady behind the counter came over and tousled their hair and handed them each a free donut hole. They squealed in delight like they always do when she gave them free donuts.


  I turned on cartoons for the boys while I hopped in the shower. I had to run a few errands before we headed over to Lauren’s. I wanted to get some snacks to take for everyone and we needed a few staples for our cupboards. 


  My showers seemed so much shorter since my new  hairstyle. It was actually growing on me. I liked how easy it was to just shower and throw in product on my towel dried hair then go. It was also a lot cooler in the summer, which was a plus.


  I wrapped myself in a towel and rummaged through my closet. It was nice for a change to not have to be so particular about what I wore. I didn't have to choose my outfits around my bruises. Something I once took for granted before Josh turned violent.


  I threw on a light pink halter sun dress then sat down to put a little mascara on my eyes. I have sat staring at my reflection in the mirror many times wondering just how I got here. Today my memory took me back to the day when I was just a little girl, about eight years old. My mom left to attend one of her church meetings and left my brothers and I home with our stepdad. As soon as she left he would get drunk and chase us around the house with his belt. I can remember hiding under the kitchen sink, too terrified to breathe. I didn't want to him to find me, however he knew how to lure me out. My little brother, Paul never knew where to hide. I tried taking him with me but he didn't fully understand the “game.” So he would often take off on his own. 


  This one night my step dad, Roy, found Paul and drug him out from under the bed where he was hiding. I can hear Paul screaming for me as Roy hit him with the belt. I couldn't stand to hear him crying like that so I ran out to save him. When I did, he tossed Paul to the floor and grabbed me by my hair with one hand, while he beat me repeatedly with his belt. I cried so hard that I wet my pants. Roy got pissed and started calling me a little whore as he rubbed my face in my own urine. All the while, little Paul sat in the corner sobbing saying “Sissy, Sissy” over and over. That's what he called me, Sissy. Seeing him like that hurt more than anything Paul was dishing out.


 I shook my head trying to clear those bad memories from my thoughts. I took a deep breath, then went out to check on the boys and get them ready to go.


 On my way to the grocery store I called Lauren. I wanted to see if she needed anything since I was out. She apologized for the noise in the back. The contractor had started on her kitchen remodel so things were hectic. I felt bad and offered to all hang at my house. Lauren insisted we come there. She said we would hang in the backyard anyway while the kids swam. I hung up with her and finished my shopping. 


  We got home and I unloaded the groceries and packed a bag of snacks to take. I grabbed towels and swimsuits for all of us then headed over to Laura's. 


  Ever since high school Lauren and I had lived close to each other, never more than five minutes. There was even a time after we graduated where we were roommates. We had some wild times living together. I cherished those memories of a simpler life.


 After about ten minutes I was ringing her doorbell. I can hear little Benji barking as Lacey ran to open the door. I was greeted with a big hug as she hollered, “Aunt Mikki is here.” The Boys ran in chasing the dog as always. They wanted a pet so bad, however Josh forbid it. He didn't understand the appeal of a “filthy animal” living in our home. So the boys enjoyed coming over to play with her dog. 


  Lauren rushed around the corner from the kitchen to greet me and take my bags. “Come in, come in.” She ushered. She explained that this noise was something she was going to have to get used to. She was too excited about her remodel to complain about how loud it was. 


  I followed her into the kitchen where she wanted me to see the progress. Her top cabinets were gone, while I saw a couple of guys working on the lower ones. “Ma'am?” a voice came from behind me. Lauren looked up and said she'd like to introduce me to her contractor. I turned around and froze. 

“Mikayla, this is Alex, Alex this is my best friend Mikayla.” Lauren said with a smile. It was her, mystery girl.