Betrayed by Love

The flickering light of a single candle danced over my creme kitchen walls. It's melted wax lay on the table. A bottle of champagne, lay in an aluminum bucket of melted ice. The grandfather clock rang ten times, 10 o'clock. Happy tenth anniversary, where was my husband?

Damn him, he promised, this time not even late, a complete no show. Butterflies danced in my stomach, unable to eat, I cleared the meal.

"Tic toc tic toc, " filled the silent void. I climbed up the double wide staircase, my feet sinking in the lush beige carpet. I passed 3 bedroom doors and entered the master suite. It held a peach sitting room, a bedroom and a bathroom. The huge carved wood canopy bed was emtry. Where was my hubby? Was he alone or working late?

Damn it, the next morning, sunlight shone through the lace curtains. I slept in, late for work.

My hubby lay snoring, on the bed, under the peach comforter. What time did he come home? I poked him, he rolled over. He smelt of bourbon. His dyed black hair lay on the pillow. His brown stubble needed shaving. But in ten minutes he could be dressed and out the door, as handsome as the devil.

The pink princess phone rang.

"Hello."

"Helen, where are you? Your late for work." It was my boss Carol.

"Sorry, feeling under the weather. I 'm not coming into work today."

"Excuse me, we need you. "

"I'm sick, I feel horrible. "

"Well take a couple of aspirin. "

"Carol how long have I worked for you?"

"What?"

"Carol, ten years, never ever took a day off. I'm sick not coming in today. "

"Excuse me, the last few years don't count. It's what you can do for me today. "

"Today I'm not coming in, maybe take the next 2 days off. "

"What? Enough of this, get to work. "

"No I'm sick."

"You know you can be replaced! You will need a doctor's note for HR."

"Yes Carol." I hung up the phone.

Dave sat up in bed. He rubbed his eyes. "You called in sick?"

"Yes, mental health day. "

"You've definitely acting mental lately." He glared at me.

"Happy 10th anniversary. "

He sat up in bed. The sheet fell revealing six pack abs. When did he have time to go to the gym?

"What are you gabbing about?"

"You know the wedding anniversary, ten years ago, yesterday. "

"Forgot all about it. "

"Oh hey, the leftovers are in the refrigerator. I waited for hours. "

"Had to work late. "

"Dave, when was the last time we spoke to each other? Or ate a meal together? Or fooled around?"

"I do not have the time for this. Gotta go to work. "

"Why don't you call in sick. We could spend the day together. "

"Helen grow the fuck up!"

He slammed the bathroom door. I heard water running.

My body shook. Tears flowed.

He dressed in his grey suit and tie. "If you're to damned lazy to go to work, at least clean up the bathroom. " He slammed shut the bedroom door and stomped down the stairs. I heard his car start up and drive away.

I forced myself to stop crying. I entered the bathroom. It was a disaster. White towels littered the floor and clawfoot bathtub. Medicine bottles, shampo, toothpaste and bar soap, lay in the hopper toilet. Shaving cream covered the beveled mirror and sink. What a jerk?

The door bell rang. I put on a tan bathrobe and answered the door.

It was Erik, our gardener. He sweated holding a check. "It bounced."

"Excuse me."

"The check bounced. You owe me six months of gardening and late fees. "

"Come in."

He followed me to the kitchen. Our steps echoed. I tried to pay him with a credit card. All four cards declined. The checking account, overdrawn. My stomach flipped. My hands trembled.

I struttered. "This is embarrassing. I only have ten dollars. "

Erik grabbed the bill from my hand. "I need to be paid."

"I understand, you will get your money. "

"When? You're six months behind. That bounced check cost me late fees. "

"Ok, ok I'll talk to my husband."

"I'll be back tomorrow. " He left. I heard the front door shut.

I logged into my computer. What the hell? All our joint credit cards we're maxed out! The interest was more than my monthly take home pay. Dave had opened two credit cards in his name only. One was maxed out, he was using the second card to pay bills. There were several mortgages on the house. How long had he hidden this?

I starred at the bare white walls, hugging myself. I rocked back and forth, tears ran like a river drenching my pj's.

Ten years of marriage, nothing to show but debts? Dave being a couple jerk. I needed a plan.

I dressed and pawned some jewelry. I paid Erik.

I took several paintings and some bronze statues to an art gallery. The owner's hazel eyes lit up. She attempted to pay cash. I set the pieces up for auction. She didn't bat an eye at my reserve price. With a nice commission she had plenty of reasons to sell high.

I phoned Dave at work. He was in a meeting, at least he was employed.

At home, I ate the leftover anniversary dinner and waited for Dave. The grandfather clock rang hourly. The ringing echoed through the huge house.

At 11pm, he strolled into the kitchen. His hair wet. His grey suit and tie looked fresh. Except for the scent of bourbon, he was immaculate.

"Hi honey."

"What are you doing awake?" He set his tan leather briefcase on the grey marble counter.

"Waiting for you. We need to talk. "

"What is this an ambush?"

"Erik visited today, his check bounced. There are multiple mortgages on this mansion. Oh hey, several maxed out credit cards. How far in debt are we?"

Dave sighed. "That's none of your concern. "

"Excuse me, I'm your wife. I'm responsible for our joint debts. "

"Oh please! Your job is to clean the house, look good and let me handle the money. " He spoke to me as if I we're a toddler.

"Maxed out credit cards, house underwater, you're doing a lousy job handling the money. "

Dave glared at me. He stomped up the stairs and slammed a door.

He yelled. "Helen get up here."

I ingored his request.

He stomped down the stairs. He grabbed my arm and shook me. "What did you do all day? The bathroom is a mess. The bed is not made. You didn't go to work. "

"That is none of your concern. "

He grabbed my chin. He stared into my eyes. "I own you, like I own this house. Tomorrow you get your lazy ass to work and clean this house. "

'Your hurting me. " I whined.

"I'll beat the crap out of you if I want. " He grabbed my arms and shook me.

I froze.

"Stop your nagging. Stop your snooping. "

"Dave."

He hit me. "Shut up. YOU WILL OBEY ME. THIS DISCUSSION IS OVER. "

He shoved me against the counter. He stomped up the stairs and slammed the bedroom door. I heard him moving around. Water ran , floor squeaked, then silence. Was he in bed?

Crying, I hid in the front bedroom. The door had a deadbolt. I looked in the mirror. Bruises on my chin and arms. Where was the love? What happened to the man I married?

I woke up, in the morning, to an emtry house. Quiet like a morgue, filled the four story mansion. I took deep breaths.

I packed several suitcases. I grabbed anything that could be pawned, gold and silver jewelry, several antique guns, a coin collection and fur coat.

I dressed to hide the bruises. I ordered a rental car, to be parked in the yard. I loaded the navy blue SUV and drove to the state line. The first time, and only time a man hits me, it is time to run.

Dave wouldn't be home for hours. He might not report me missing for days if ever. If and when he reported me missing, police would not search for 24 hours. By then I would be several states away.

The marriage was over. The love was dead. Nothing left but time to cry.