I wiped my eyes and looked out the window.
I was free from the old man, so that was a
plus.
While I was thinking, Mark called.
“Jenny, did you run to Grandpa again? You
ruined my and Ashley’s alone time!”
“I’m warning you, if you do that again, I’m
cutting off your credit cards!”
Before, I would’ve apologized and tried to get
him to forgive me.
Now, I just said, “Whatever.”
He sounded surprised.
Then, he chuckled.
“I heard the baby’s here. You think you can
talk back to me now because you have a kid.”
“Don’t forget who’s in charge. I’m a
Thompson. If you stay here, I’ll make your life
a living hell.”
I closed my eyes.
I knew what Mark could do.
The first time I caught him cheating, I ran to
the old man.
Then Mark got revenge.
He made me kneel on the freezing balcony
<
and slapped myself because mom would lose
everything.
They were partying all night with his new
piece.
I ended up in the hospital because of
frostbite.
The little bit of love I had left disappeared in
the snow.
After that, I acted like I didn’t see what Mark
was doing.
I just took all the insults and tried to be Mrs.
Thompson.
Now, Mom’s gone.
L
Now, Mom’s gone.
The baby’s gone.
It was time to call it quits.
I hung up.
I called the funeral home and set up the
cremation.
When I got back, Mark was standing by the
door.
He looked at me, frowned, and then smirked.
“What’s wrong? Are you going to act sad?
You just gave birth and are already running all
over town. You don’t need rest.”
L
“I’m thinking about having Ashley move into
the house. She’s young and soft and can’t do
housework. File the papers and get to work,
bitch.”
Mark came closer, grinning like a devil.
“Your pain is my turn–on.”
He stared at me, waiting for me to break.
I just looked blank.
Mark, bored, grabbed a nurse.
“Where’s the baby? Is it a boy or a girl? Bring
it here.”
