“So you did sleep with him! I knew it. How kind of your old friend to give you a part so he could get laid.”
“Jeff gets laid plenty without having to pay me for it.”
“But you slept with him, admit it.”
I saw no point in denying it. And right then I wanted to hurt Bill. He was making me furious!
“Yes, I slept with Jeff. Happy now? Great, then leave.”
“I’m not leaving without you. My wife, a whore. Never. You’re coming with me.”
Shocked, I just stood there looking at him. This wasn’t my husband. This wasn’t my life. Bill would never hurt me. Bill once called the police on a man who threatened his wife. Bill hated men who hurt women. Bill…and then Bill grabbed my arms.
“Stop it, you’re hurting me!” I screamed.
I tried to kick him, but he was too strong. He was drunk, but he was still a great deal bigger than me. Instead I tried twisting out of his grip — I’d heard that’s what you should do in an emergency. For a moment Bill lost his grip and I stumbled forward. If only I could reach the door! But in my eagerness to get there, I stumbled over a bag I’d left on the floor.
“Ouch,” I yelled, more due to the panic of getting caught again than due to pain. Quickly, I stood up, but Bill had caught up by now and grabbed my arms in a karate grip I couldn’t fight.
“I told you, you’re my wife. You’re mine. You won’t win this fight. There is no fight, because you’re mine.”
Bill forced me to sit down on the couch and I felt panic rising — no one was scheduled to check in on me. No one would hear if I screamed unless my landlords came home just as I did so. I came to think of some famous murders that had happened in this area — some because of jealousy. I regretted admitting I’d slept with Jeff, but it was too late now.
“Bill, let me go. You’re not like this. Wake up and come to your senses. You’re hurting me. You’re trying to bind my arms for God’s sake. Bill, stop it!”
But Bill just looked at me with steel in his eyes.
“No, I’m taking you home. And as you aren’t coming willingly, I’ll make you. Now stand and we’ll leave.”
I felt nausea overwhelm me — if only I hadn’t called it off with Jeff and he’d been here to protect me!
