"You need to clean the bruises." She looked briefly to see her table destroyed and Bill beaten and bleeding then went off to the kitchen and returned with a washcloth and a bowl of water just as he made it to the couch,
"OK, let me wipe your face." She looked down at his grateful expression that turned into a grimace accompanied by a groan,
"Sorry, I know it hurts." He closed his eyes as she gently wiped his face with less pressure,
"I'm sorry I hit you. I've never done that before. I was drunk and angry." She bit her lip as she fought back the tears,
"I mean, it just hurt a lot to know you were with him...because I didn't love you enough. I mean, is that why?" She looked into his eyes and leaned towards him, pulling back when he gasped and held his stomach,
"Damn, when he kicked me in the stomach." She looked down to see him holding his stomach,
"Maybe he hit your ribs or something, maybe there's bleeding. You need to go to the hospital." He shook his head,
"No, he got me square in the stomach, its just bruised and sore." She watched as he stood up,
"At first I stayed because I was too drunk to leave, I knew you went to him, which made me feel even worse. The one place I didn't want you to go...the one person I didn't want you to see is the person you went to, to make you feel better. I can't be mad though, you went because of me. I'm going to go because I;m sure you want to be alone...or not around me I should say." She allowed him to pull her up off the couch but her eyes remained down,
"I just want you to know it will never happen again."- He leaned down to kiss her and she turned her head just enough for him to understand. He let out an uncomfortable laugh and nodded his head,
"I had a dream the other night that we were married. I watched you walk down the aisle in the most beautiful dress. Then I dreamed you were asleep. The sun was shining through the window onto your face and it was a perfect day. It looked like something from a coffee or laundry detergent commercial." She watched as he smiled as if he was reliving the dream,
"I was sitting on the couch watching cartoons...with our son." She looked up to see a sad smile on his face and was overwrought with guilt. How could she cheat on him? Here he was thinking about of future with her filled with marriage and kids and she was sleeping with a guy who didn't think beyond happens after sex,
"I just need some time to-" He nodded his head,
"I know, I understand." He pulled her to him and ignored her protests as he kissed her lightly on the lips,
"I'll see you soon ok?" She pulled back and hugged herself as she looked away,
"Ok?" She nodded her head quickly as she followed him to the door. He turned to look at her once more before he disappeared down the stairs.
Home
Full Circle
Chapter 57