“No, Mikhail, he was not. You’re seeing things from some screwed up sense of insecurity and jealousy. I’m not luring anyone by my assets. You need to so get over yourself. I’m voluptuous, you don’t like it, break up with me. I’m tired of this bull-shit excuse for a relationshit. It’s not a relationship because you should know it’s not right to hit women. You’ve no right to hit me, call me names or accusing me of asinine things, Mikhail. I’m going to bed. Good night.”
Yeah, I was that pissed off.
Consequences soon to be delivered? Check.
I turned and started racing up the stairs trying to hurry to my bedroom. When I reached half way, he came up behind me quickly and grabbed my bicep and his fist connected with the side of my face as my body turned. I yanked free, but I felt myself stumbling backwards.
“Mikhail! Help me!”
He just smirked and I fell down the twelve steps and landed not so gently on the ground floor. My ankle must have twisted because a pain so sharp crept up my leg and through my spine and left a breathless me, crying out.
“Oh God, my ankle. I can’t breathe. You need to take me to the hospital, Mikhail. Please. Please, don’t just leave me here.”
Pleading and begging wasn’t high on my list but it was either him taking me or me calling an ambulance. The way his face distorted, he knew what the other choice would be.
“Alright. Let’s get this shit over with then.” Mikhail came down the stairs, slowly as he pleases, bent down and lifted me easily into his arms.
Whoa. He’s never done that before. His face gave nothing away and was expressionless as usual. He seemed to carry me with ease and for once, I wished it was something I could enjoy. But then again, maybe not.
“Damn, Sidda. You need to start exercising. Luckily for you I don’t have to walk that far to get to the car.”
Yup. Gentlemanly chivalry, zero. Bastard McBastardson? Check.
My issues with Mikhail were building. I don’t know how much longer I could deal with this kind of relationshit of a relationship.
With his need for speed, we reached Texas Women’s quickly. I was seen immediately, fortunately. Unfortunately, however, it was the same ER doctor as before. Doctor Larsen looked from me to Mikhail and back to me in silent question.
I disguised my negative motion by shaking my hair around me and shaking my head no. I had a wild-eyed expression as I stared back at her. She must have taken the hint. With a clenched jaw though, she pretended she had never seen me before.
After some x-rays, a day stay at the hospital, I had a few heavily bruised ribs and a painfully twisted ankle. No broken bones. This time.
Mikhail left me sometime after I was admitted into a room the day before, and when I was waiting for discharge papers, Doctor Larsen had prescribed me with a good pain pill prescription. I tried getting ahold of Mikhail to come pick me up, but he didn’t answer any of my calls.
I gave him another hour, but with no avail, I called my mother.
8
Gimme the Truth and Nothing but the Truth
“Hospital? God, what happened, Sidda?”
After explaining the lie Mikhail came up with, my mother seemed appeased. I was normally clumsy sometimes, so she calmed down.
“Oh, you know me, mother, just clumsy is all. I was walking up the stairs where I live with Mikhail and my heel didn’t quite make one of the steps. Would you be able to come get me? Mikhail’s at work and can’t leave the office in time.”
Even my mother heard the stress and strain in my voice.
“You sound burned out. You need to make sure to stay off it and keep it elevated. Take the pills the doctor gave you. Let it heal. I’m at work, I’ll get your sister-
I made sure to stop her right there.
“Yeah, mom, don’t worry about that. I can call Mags to come get me. I just gotta call her. No use calling Jeanine or Megan. Too much of a drive to get out here for them.”
“Mags is a sweet girl. Alright, girlie, call me later, love you!”
“Love you, too,” clicking off the phone, I was glad I could dodge getting one of my older sisters to come pick me up. My family has only met and talked to Mikhail once, which was before I moved in with him. My mother thought he was a world class gentleman. At that time, he was. My sisters thought he was kind of snooty and stiff. Not one country-boy bone in his body. I always just said it’s because he’s a yank.
If you live in the south, life is so different than any New York, Chicago or even Los Angeles city life. There’s a slowness here that makes you want to bust out your hammock and take a nice long nap. Don’t get me wrong, we got fast city people in Houston, but take yourself down them old, back, country roads with friends or that special someone, and things changed.
My sisters rolled their eyes with that excuse. They’d smile to his face, but when he turned around, they’d just shake their heads in aversion.
So, Mags it was. I knew what calling her would mean. It would mean telling her the truth. The whole truth. I gave up feeling apprehensive. I just had to get her to keep her mouth shut. Scrolling down my iPhone to Mags pic and contact, I called her. When she answered, she sounded like she was asleep.
“What’s up, baby-cakes? You and Mikhail have such a great night, you had to take two days to bask in all that sexual glory?”
“Oh, Mags.” I started sobbing right there in the hospital room. Thank God the door was closed.
“Sidda? What happened? God, Siddaleigh, talk to me, girl!” Yup, I knew me sobbing, would wake her up in a heartbeat.
“Can you pick me up? I’m at the hospital.” I said this between sobs and knew the screws in her head were working overtime.
“Hospital?” She paused for just a moment before her screaming let me know exactly what she thought about that. “What did that sorry sonuvabitch do to you?”
I told her I’d tell her everything, but I didn’t want to tell her in this hospital room.
“So are you coming or not, Magdalene?”
“Don’t real name me, woman. Of course I’m coming. And damn right you will explain. Everything, Siddaleigh. I’m your BFF, hello! So of course I’m coming dummy, I love you, girl.”
“I love you too, Mags.”
After giving her the hospital information, I could hear rustling in the background. “Ok, ETA fifteen minutes tops!” Hearing some squeals from the other line, I could hear her peeling out of the apartment parking lot as our call was disconnected.
I could always count on her. Even as our friendship nowadays were strained, I knew she’d be there for me. After our first stupid argument, about clothing of all things, we didn’t talk for two days. When my 2005 Mustang over heated, I debated calling her, but when I did, she didn’t hesitate. Told me as soon as she saw me, ‘Anytime Siddaleigh. No matter if we’re at each other’s throats. Call me. Day, or night. BFF’s always. Anytime, anyplace. Never forget that. I know I’m difficult. But I am loyal, (she took a deep breath and laughed out). So over, huh?’
At the time, it sounded kind of clingy, but I’m glad I got over that, because I needed her now.
The nurse that was assigned to my room came in with a wheelchair and my discharge papers. She seen my tear streaked face and was quick to ask me if I was okay.
Reassuring her it was just emotional and nothing to do with pain, she seemed skeptical and made double sure. I told her yes, and nodded firmly and she wheeled me towards the elevators and down to the where the patients were picked up at.
“Okay, Miss Carrington, have you got someone to come pick you up? Perhaps that good looking man that came in with you?”
Putting on my fake smile I was becoming accustomed to, I told her no.
“He’s working and couldn’t get away, so my best friend, Magdalene Beckridge is on her way.”
I could see the disappointment on her face and as every other chick that got a good look at Mikhail, I saw the ‘how did you get lucky enough to get that hot piece of manhood to be your man?’ look. Yeah
, well, obviously his panty dropping smile and charm worked on chubby girls too and he picked me. His prince charming good looks and attitude only lasted so long.
They faded with every single blow to my face.
Finally, I saw Mags hot pink Volkswagen Beetle pull up. I was so ready to go until she got out of her car, looked at me and opened her mouth.
“Damn, you lookin’ pretty rough,” she bent down to get a good look and said, “Yeah, you are so telling me everything. Promise?”
She held out her pinkie finger and I stared at but for a split second before giving in.
Wrapping my pinkie with hers, I looked in her eyes and told her, “Yeah, I promise.”
Mags helped me in her car, and drove me to Mikhail’s house. It wasn’t my home anymore. During the drive, she kept stealing glances at me. It made for an uncomfortable trip. The silence was stifling. She looked sideways at my bruised face. My wrapped ankle. I knew she’d freak if she saw my chest and ribs.
“Sidda-
“Don’t. Please, I can’t right now. When we get to Mike’s, if he’s not there. Just, please.”
“Shh. Okay, Sidda.”
Mags crooned to me as if I was an infant. We pulled into the driveway and Mike’s car was thankfully absent. Relief washed through my body and I was able to relax as Mags helped me into the house. She sat across from me on an ottoman as I reclined on the leather sofa. Stared me straight in the eye and waited.
She knew putting me under pressure wouldn’t do her good. So she got up and sat next to me. She took my hand in hers and sighed.
“I cut.”
My head whipped up to hers in shock.
“But Mags, you’re-
I didn’t know what else to say. Finding out my best friend for the past year, did that to herself, made me question just about everything.
“Sidda, I haven’t cut for a long time. When you moved out, I did. Once. I’ve been seeing a therapist and dealing with it ever since I was a teen. Don’t look so guilty, it’s not your fault you found something to move up and on to. I just don’t deal with change really well. I thought I’d have a dorm to myself. I try not to get so attached to anyone. Then we met and everything seemed to click. I don’t handle it good if I get close to them and then they leave. Enough about that, we can dive into that some other time. It’s you who is the queen of the hour. So tell me.”
So I did. Every sordid, horrid thing between him and myself. Even the threats he kept over me.
“Oh my God, Sidda, he can’t do that! We need to pack up your shit and go.”
I shook my head valiantly.
“I just can’t Mags, not now. I don’t want my family, you, hurt. I can’t risk that.”
“Jesus, Sids. I don’t know what to say. Don’t worry about me. I’m so sorry you’ve had to deal with this alone. Let me take pictures. Because when the time comes, you need proof. Gimme your discharge papers and I’ll keep them safe.”
I nodded because I knew she had a point. A very valid point. So we took pictures of all the bruises outside my clothing.
“That’s it. Thanks, Mags,”
“Oh, no it’s not. I know he would’ve done more. You walked in here as if you could barely breathe. Lift up your shirt and let me get everything, Sidda. Don’t be a coward. I know he must’ve roughened you up pretty good.”
Sighing heavily, I did. Her gasp rang loud and clear and I didn’t have to see for myself how horrid the markings looked.
“Jesus, one day, Siddaleigh. One day, you’ll escape this.”
“Yeah, one day.”
9
One Moment can Change your entire life
Mag’s was right. Things became much different after my birthday. I stopped going to school. I was able to drop the classes without any harm done to my transcript. Mags picked me up a pay as you go phone, in which I did a good job of hiding it so I could talk to her whenever Mike was gone.
That’s what he was to me now. Mike. Mikhail was before I moved in. The sweet guy I met. Mike was the monster I moved in with. Of course, I only called him Mike when he wasn’t around. I kept to myself and did everything he asked me to do. I became a shell of a woman who didn’t know how to escape this horrible prison. I was trapped. Although every time he hit me, I did take pictures and sent them to Mags. For whatever kind of evidence I would need when I made my move. Which I needed to figure out. I needed to get out of this horrible place as soon as possible.
I could feel it happening soon. Christmas came and went, and it was in the beginning of January when I figured out I had missed three periods.
No, No, No, No. I couldn’t be pregnant.
I waited until Mike was away from the house, which had become more frequent. He didn’t really have sex with me anymore. For this, I thank God every day. He always told me he had business that kept him away for hours on end.
I waved good-bye to him and waited until he was out of sight of the driveway when I ran and took the stairs two at a time until I skidded into my room.
Lifting my mattress up as best as I could, I reached between to grab the little flip phone Mags got me.
Me: MAGS!!! OMFG!!! CALL ME NOW!
Not five seconds later the phone is vibrating, and I answer.
“WHAT?! Tell me you’re ok! Do I need to call the police?”
“No, but Mags, oh my God. I think I might be,” gulping, I whispered the last part, “pregnant.”
“WHAT! Oh. My. God. No way, Sids. That’s just crazy!”
I walked over to the window, and stood at the side frame, barely lifting the curtain to make sure no one was coming up the drive or God forbid, Mike. Seeing the all clear, I told Mags about skipping the last few months of my period.
“Mags, I’ve been feeling more tired lately too. I’ve felt a little nauseous but no morning sickness. I wanna take a test. But I don’t want-.”
“Mike to find out. Has he forbidden me to come by yet?”
“No, he hasn’t and I don’t think he knows or has figured out that you know everything. He does have a security guard though that’s camped out by the gates. Let me call Mike and make sure, okay?”
“Yeah, do that. I don’t want you in trouble, girl.”
After hanging up, I went to the night stand to grab my iPhone, and into the message app.
Me: May Mags come by for a short visit? Maybe an hr? Please, I haven’t seen her in so long. Please, Mikhail.
I texted him, because he told me I couldn’t call him while he was at the office. Didn’t want anyone to interrupt him. And if I did, I wouldn’t like the ramifications.
Mikhail: Yes, but only for an hour. Understand? Security will log in what time she arrives and leaves. Anything over, you won’t like what happens.
Me: Thank you Mikhail!
Mikhail: You’re welcome Sidda
At least he still had manners. Sometimes.
I told Mags the deets and she came over within twenty minutes.
“You have an hour, let’s make it the best hour we can!”
I closed the front door behind her, and dragged her up the stairs and into my bedroom.
“Ok, since I figured the hard ass outside would search my purse, I put the test in a more invisible place.”
Sticking her hand down her shirt, she whipped out a little rectangle foil package, with a Clearblue Easy Digital Pregnancy Test. Straight out of her bra. That’s a bestie for you.
“Nice, Mags. Thank you.”
“Alright, you just pee here, and we wait like 3 or so minutes. When we find out, I’ll get rid of the test, so no one finds it here,” Mags gave me the test and I went into the en suite and did the deed.
I put it on the counter and saw an hourglass symbol going off, so I walked back into the room and sat down on the bed next to my best friend.
“What happens if you’re pregnant, Sids? You would be so trapped. We have to get you out of here. And soon, girlfriend.”
I sighed a heavy breath and nodded in agreement.
“I k
now that. Even if it’s his child, no child deserves to be aborted without so much as a choice. I couldn’t do that. God, I want nothing to do with him, but if I am pregnant, this is an innocent baby.”
Reaching one arm around my shoulders and the other holding my hand closest to her, Mags leaned her forehead on my shoulder.
“I know you couldn’t do anything that atrocious. We need to go to the police. This can’t continue. Restraining order, the whole nine yards.”
“I think it’s been three minutes. Would you go check for me?”
Nodding, Mags got up, disappeared and she was in the other room for what seemed life forever. When she finally came back in, she was pale. Looking at me with sympathy, she nodded her head.
“Pregnant.”
I felt the tears flowing down my face, and I grabbed a hold of my stomach. I was about three months then. There was a baby inside me.
“Oh. My. God. Mags, what am I going to do?”
Rushing to me, she cradled me in her arms and let me sob all over her.
“I’ve been talking to a detective about abuse and about how one gets out.”
“You did WHAT!?”
“Calm down, I never mentioned you, I said it was for a paper. His name is Detective Francis Mackenzie.”
“Francis Mackenzie? He must have recently moved back from Austin.”
“What? You know him?”
“Yeah, he was in the same class with a cousin of mine. Way before my time, he’s about thirty-ish, maybe?”
“So you know of him then,” she dried my eyes and I just nodded.
Mags set me away from her and looked at me fiercely.
“Ok, I’m going to go to him tomorrow morning and kinda get some answers. Can I tell him about you?”
“Yeah, I need to be free of this. Especially if I’m going to have a baby. It’s gotta be now. Thanks, girl.”
“Call me or text me tonight. If he comes home and figures out something upset you, besides him, you know there’ll be hell to pay. And this time, he won’t get away with it, I promise. So you text me or call me. If not, I’m not waiting.”
Love Came Back (a Pyro-Princess Design and Style novel Book 1) Page 5