“Oh my God! So what they told me is true?”
“It depends on what they told you.”
“Jeremy is violent toward you. That’s why you went to the hospital.”
“Yes, there’s no point in lying to you. If you want to believe me, great. If not, I don’t care. Jeremy isn’t a saint. But he’ll never grant me a divorce. Repeating his words: only death do us part.”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t know. When Jeremy told me to check on you, he claimed you were cheating on him.”
“I never did, Ingrid.”
“Please, Hailey, forgive me. I had no idea what you were going through, and I started mistreating you, too.”
“It’s not your fault. We’re fine.”
The following hours pass quickly. I show her all the purchases I made, and she’s amazed.
Ingrid goes to the bathroom, and I go to the kitchen to order dinner. Jeremy comes in, nervous, and pushes me against the wall.
“Jeremy, wait, don’t...”
“You’re mine, and I want you.”
“Jeremy, stop,” I beg him. He squeezes my wrists to stop me from struggling. I bite his lip, and he slaps me. “We’re not alone in the house,” I tell him, holding my cheek.
“Leave her alone, you idiot! Don’t you realize that you hurt both her and your child? You should be ashamed.”
“Mom what are you doing here?”
“Go away and calm down.”
Jeremy goes to get a cloth and some ice, which he puts on my cheek.
“Look at that. You’re an animal! You’d better stop now. I didn’t raise you like that.”
“Mom, it’s none of your business.”
“Mind you, if you still hurt her, I’ll unleash hell on you.”
“Mom...”
“Don’t ‘Mom’ me. Did you marry her? You have to respect and love her. It’s your duty as a husband, and if it doesn’t suit you, there’s always divorce!”
“Never!” he screams, leaving the kitchen.
Hailey
Tomorrow is Christmas. It should be great. At least in my dreams.
I have always dreamed of a decorated house, a Christmas tree in the middle of the staircase, some poinsettias throughout the house, and the lights. But apparently, I married the only man on earth who hates not only Christmas but all holidays.
He hates Easter because he thinks it’s childish. On July 4th, we had to go to a funeral, and obviously, you can’t celebrate after that. Halloween doesn’t make sense. Thanksgiving is saved, but only because we’re usually on vacation or at his mother’s. Christmas and New Year are hateful because they’re a waste of useless money.
It makes me laugh. As a child, I hated the Grinch because he always ruined the holidays for others, yet I married a Grinch.
Yet this year is a special Christmas. Tomorrow will be a memorable evening, and even though Jeremy is against Christmas, I want to celebrate it. I’ve given up many decorations, but I will have the Christmas tree, the poinsettias, and the lights.
I organize home delivery of 50 poinsettias, a Christmas wreath for the door, and a ten-foot Christmas tree decorated in red and gold.
