SHORT STORY
Her bloodied eyes, broken nose, and swollen lips, told the story. Or did it? She stood at the doorway, elbow bracing against the wall, fingers hanging over her tousled hair. She has had enough. Ten years of marriage to top executive was a brilliant idea. He was the créme de la créme in his profession. He dressed the part; always immaculately attired and drove a lamborghini to work. He was a member of exclusive clubs, dined at coveted star restaurants, known for their culinary excellence and affluent ambience. She foresaw a life that would be the envy of her friends.
Yet, the journey was a rollercoaster. She didn't expect a starry-eyed relationship as she saw her parents survive and grew a 40-year marriage until her dad died. Her mom followed two years later. She witnessed where her mom irked her dad to the point where he became withdrawn and would seek solace in his garage where he would pretend to be busy fixing something. Most times he just fiddled with some tool or gadget. Similarly, her mom fought hard to get her dad away from the TV when his favorite sport was on. He always promised her just five minutes more which often turned into an hour. But by evening they were the best pals and behaved as if nothing challenging happened between them whilst together.
Her husband was not so much in control of his temper. He flew into a rage for the most things he considered out of place. She bore the bricks on her chest and sometimes on her head. A few times there was a huge rock thrown in her direction. She rallied until he became physical. The first incident was a shove against a wall. She was shocked. He quickly apologized and pleaded for forgiveness. She did.
One Sunday morning after he came home late from a bar, he attacked her. she didn't back down this time. He threw punches and wild swings, a few connected and some missed. She called upon her karate skills which she has acquired in her teen years. There were still there. She rained on some chops, double parallel punches, double scissors hits, and U-shaped double shots. He fell from the barrage and passed out. She called 911 and waited at the door for their arrival © Wallace Paul. June 2025.
Her bloodied eyes, broken nose, and swollen lips, told the story. Or did it? She stood at the doorway, elbow bracing against the wall, fingers hanging over her tousled hair. She has had enough. Ten years of marriage to top executive was a brilliant idea. He was the créme de la créme in his profession. He dressed the part; always immaculately attired and drove a lamborghini to work. He was a member of exclusive clubs, dined at coveted star restaurants, known for their culinary excellence and affluent ambience. She foresaw a life that would be the envy of her friends.
Yet, the journey was a rollercoaster. She didn't expect a starry-eyed relationship as she saw her parents survive and grew a 40-year marriage until her dad died. Her mom followed two years later. She witnessed where her mom irked her dad to the point where he became withdrawn and would seek solace in his garage where he would pretend to be busy fixing something. Most times he just fiddled with some tool or gadget. Similarly, her mom fought hard to get her dad away from the TV when his favorite sport was on. He always promised her just five minutes more which often turned into an hour. But by evening they were the best pals and behaved as if nothing challenging happened between them whilst together.
Her husband was not so much in control of his temper. He flew into a rage for the most things he considered out of place. She bore the bricks on her chest and sometimes on her head. A few times there was a huge rock thrown in her direction. She rallied until he became physical. The first incident was a shove against a wall. She was shocked. He quickly apologized and pleaded for forgiveness. She did.
One Sunday morning after he came home late from a bar, he attacked her. she didn't back down this time. He threw punches and wild swings, a few connected and some missed. She called upon her karate skills which she has acquired in her teen years. There were still there. She rained on some chops, double parallel punches, double scissors hits, and U-shaped double shots. He fell from the barrage and passed out. She called 911 and waited at the door for their arrival © Wallace Paul. June 2025.
