“Perfect, then. See you around 3 pm, so you can rest.”
“That’s fine. See you later then.”
I close the phone in disbelief. What should I expect this afternoon? I don’t want to think about it. For now, I have a morning of shopping with Drew. And I want to enjoy it!
After the usual walk and phone call with Danny, I took a shower and get ready to go out.
The drive to Westfield is uneventful. I arrive ten minutes before the appointment, but I can see Drew on the bench on the phone.
I sneak up and scare him.
“Christ, precious, do you want to kill me?” He held a hand on his heart.
“Sorry, I didn’t think you were so cowardly.”
“I certainly am, but don’t tell anyone.” He winks at me. “Let’s start from here,” he says, pointing to a shop for children.
My little one will be very spoiled and loved.
We walked around the mall and bought a lot of things for the baby and me.
I couldn’t resist and buy something pink, too; I know it will be a girl. I feel it.
We go to the Promenade and decide to stop and eat. Actually, I decided to stop and eat because I’m starving.
“So Hailey, tell me. How are things going?” he asks me. “Do you have any news?”
“Do you want the pure truth or the one I tell Danny?”
“Oh Jesus! You know you can trust me. I want the pure truth, precious.”
“Where do I start? Dr. Westermann, the psychologist, was helpful. She helped me focus on myself and on the baby. Shee taught me to calm my temper, and I can, believe it or not, not answer right away, so I don’t make him even angrier. But she says I have to find a way to divorce Jeremy safely because, in the long run, this situation will tear apart my soul. Well, she said the psyche...”
“That’s good news. Can we get this damned divorce?”
“No, judges and lawyers do not want to go against Jeremy. He’s known by everyone, and they gave me the impression that they’re all afraid of repercussions.”
“Shit. Can we try an out-of-state judge?”
“Yeah, I thought about that. But Drew, I’m afraid he might do something to me. I’m not afraid for me, but for the baby. So I’ll wait to give birth before proceeding.”
“Oh honey, I’m sorry. Can you handle this for another five months? Does he treat you well?”
“There was a time when I finally thought I had found some peace. Jeremy would come back late, we would spend a few hours together, and then we would go to sleep without…well, you know.”
“Well, Claire does her job well.”
I smile.
“You said there was a period…what has changed?”
“I think Claire doesn’t want to play with him anymore. He comes home at normal hours, he’s present, angry, and…” I look down because I’m ashamed.
“Hailey, is he abusing you?” Drew approaches me, and I can’t hold back the tears.
“I’m afraid to say no because it gets very violent. If Jeremy’s hand slipped, it would end badly, and I’m terrified. So I can’t say he’s abusing me since I’m not stopping him.”
He hugs me. “I guess Danny doesn’t know.”
