“You did! And he did all his homework too!”
Rodney forced a smile, noting that Susan had moved from the bedroom to the couch. She didn’t acknowledge that he was home as if the show on the TV was so engrossing that the world around her had stopped.
“I guess that means you can have some ice cream later. Go make sure your room is clean.”
Justin didn’t object - the mention of ice cream was all he was thinking about and he trotted off to his room, leaving Rodney and Carol alone in the kitchen. The TV was loud enough that Susan likely wouldn’t hear them, and at this point, Rodney didn’t care if she did eavesdrop.
“How were things today?”
“After you left, Susan went back to sleep. I took Justin to school and then picked him up around three. When I got here, she was asleep on the couch. Justin went to work on homework after a snack and I did some cleaning. Pretty standard afternoon.” Carol tossed the dirty dish cloth in the sink and folded her arms across her chest. “How about you? You look like you could sleep for days.”
“I’ll manage. I can’t thank you enough for helping us out. I don’t know what I’d do if you weren’t willing to come over and watch Justin for me.”
He rummaged through the refrigerator, pulling out leftover Chinese food from a few nights ago. Popping it in the microwave, he glanced into the living room - Susan’s eyes were still trained on the show, oblivious that she was the topic of conversation.
“She’s my sister, Rodney. I love her. I know she’s got issues and I wish she could get clean and stay clean. But…” Carol trailed off, her eyes downcast, her brow creased with worry.
“But what?”
“I think it’ll be the same old song and dance. I don’t want to speak ill will of her but I don’t know what else to do.”
Rodney pulled the steaming Chinese food from the microwave and let it cool off before he dug in. His stomach growled from the scent but the concern Carol was feeling was enough to tone down his hunger. Worry did that to him and he had lost a lot of weight during Susan’s previous binders.
“I know, Carol. I don’t know what to do. I just…” He chewed on the inside of his cheek, feeling guilty for doubting his wife. “What do you suggest I do?”
“This is the last time. It has to be. I’ve been reading a lot about this. Sometimes it takes a person hitting rock bottom before they realize they really do need help. You can’t help someone who doesn’t want it. She’s got Justin.” Carol pointed down the hallway toward his room. “You’d think that’d be enough to wake her up and make her stop. But here we are again.” A few tears trickled down Carol’s face and she turned away.
“I keep telling myself this is the last time too. I’ve said that every time this has happened. I’m weak when it comes to this.”
“But now there’s something different,” Carol replied, keeping her voice low. She kept looking toward Susan, also worried she’d hear them.
“What’s different?” Rodney asked, pulling noodles from the container. Finally, he could get some food in his stomach.
“Justin is old enough to see what’s happening. You’ve gotta put that little boy first. If we keep exposing him to this, he could develop the same habits down the road. Think about him, Rodney. I hate saying this about my own sister but enough is enough and you know that.”
Rodney went to say something but Susan cut him off. “What are you two talking about in there?”
Rodney spoke between bites, twirling the noodles on his fork. “We were talking about Justin.” It wasn’t a complete lie - he was part of it.
“Sure you were.” The sarcasm was thick in her tone and she rolled her eyes. “That food smells good. Can I have some?”
Rodney handed her the fork and the remaining noodles. He had completely lost his appetite just from Susan’s bad attitude. Did she seriously think she was the victim in this? “Take it. I don’t want anymore.”
“Gladly.” Susan smirked and took a large bite. “I start my therapy sessions tomorrow. It’s at that outpatient clinic and I’m gonna need a ride.”
“I’ll take care of it,” Rodney said, speaking to Carol. “I don’t need to go in early so I can drop Justin off at school and then take her on the way into work. You’ve been a great help. I can’t ask you to do anything else.”
“My sister the saint,” Susan said from the other room. “Shouldn’t we all be like her? You sure you two aren’t messing around? By the way you’re talking in there, it’s like you’re having an affair right in front of me.”
Rodney ignored her and led Carol to the door, walking her out into the yard. The cool night air was refreshing and it made Rodney not want to go back in the stuffy house with Susan. “Have a good night. Tell your husband I say hello and thanks for his patience through all of this.”
Carol nodded and patted him on the shoulder. “It’ll get better. One way or another, regardless of if she sticks with the therapy or not, it’s gonna get better. I have to believe that. And you should too, Rodney.”
“I’ll try.”
“Let me know if you need anything. I’m here for you and Justin. And believe it or not, for Susan too.”
Rodney nodded and took a few steps away from the vehicle. Watching her pull out of the driveway, he waved toward her and went back inside. The best thing he could do was ignore Susan’s hurtful comments. She was itching for a fight and if he gave in, Justin would have another night of listening to them yelling back and forth. The kid deserved better than that.
Chapter Six
Rodney didn’t know what to do for the rest of the evening. He felt like a stranger in his own home. After getting Justin his ice cream and a bath, Susan continued to try and pick a fight with him. He found himself out in the yard, working on weeding near the flowerbeds just to stay away from her. Sitting in the dark on the back patio made him crave a beer and it also made him think about so many random things. He tried not to ruminate on his past with Susan - they had gotten married young right out of high school and she never wanted children. It was one thing Rodney was willing to sacrifice because he loved her, and years later, along came Justin, shocking both of them.
That was the moment Rodney was willing to bet she had taken a turn. Just as she had admitted, she wasn’t cut out to be a mom. How could anyone want to turn their back on such a beautiful miracle? Rodney sat on the bottom step of the porch and looked up at the night sky. It was clear and the stars were bright, blanketing over their neighborhood like a perfect picture on a postcard.
The back door squeaked open and he didn’t even look back. Susan was coming along to ruin the perfection of the outdoors and he almost got up to leave. Her hand on his shoulder stopped him from moving - maybe she’d finally have something productive to say.
“You don’t think I’m going to get better, do you?” Susan had a blanket wrapped around her, her pajamas draping off of her from the weight she had lost. Drugs and alcohol were pretty much her diet for a long time. The Chinese food was the first real meal Rodney had seen her eat in a long time.
“I don’t want to fight, Susan.”
“I’m not fighting. I’m asking you a legitimate question.”
“You have to think about your track record.” Rodney spread his hands, looking her in the eye. “What would you think if it was me? What would you do?”
Susan didn’t answer him immediately. Instead, she looked at the ground, running her fingers through the loose soil that Rodney had dug up. “I’d never give up on you, Rodney.”
Scoffing, Rodney stood up. “You’ve gotta be shitting me.”
“I’m not.” Susan shook her head. “Why do you not believe me?”
“Because I know you. You’d have left me already.”
“Is that what you’re saying, Rodney? That you’re gonna leave me?”
It was Rodney’s turn to not answer her right off. Taking the steps onto the porch, he went to open the screen door and stopped, looking over his shoulder at her. “Let’s see how this
stint in your rehab goes. Then we’ll talk about the future. How’s that sound? It’s all in your hands. You can control it. Your family or the drugs. It’s really a no-brainer.”
Opening the door, he went inside and up the stairs. He couldn’t talk about this anymore. Words were cheap and he needed solid evidence that Susan was serious. He hated himself for doubting her but also hated himself for being so naive to let it get as far as it had. Their bedroom window overlooked the backyard and he could see her sitting on the steps. She finally got up and went back in the house, not saying another word to him the rest of the night.
***
“Why have you been so quiet?” Phillip sat across from Amelia in the living room, his glare bone-chilling. “You’ve just been going to work and coming home. You haven’t even let me get close to you.”
There was a good reason for that - he had practically raped her and hadn’t even apologized for forcing himself on her. It was the last time they had been “intimate” and Amelia wouldn’t be broken-hearted if they never were again. The fact that he was oblivious to how bad he had hurt her made her wonder if he was just that stupid or if he didn’t even care.
“I’m exhausted, Phillip. Work is really taking its toll on me.”
“You’re the one who wanted to work two jobs. You never even get a day off.”
“Someone has to pull the weight around here. Bills won’t pay themselves.”
Amelia knew she’d regret it the moment she said it. If she could suck the words back into her mouth, she would, but it was too late. Phillip got to a standing position, clenching onto the beer bottle, his bone-chilling glare now even more frightening. Rearing back, he threw the bottle across the room, the glass shattering against the wall adjacent to her.
“You better watch your mouth, little girl!”
Amelia was shocked at what Phillip had just done. Frozen on the couch, she stared up at him, unable to think of what to say in response to his outburst. The beer dripped to the carpet below, soaking into it. The best way to avoid the fight was to just clean up the mess - she knew he wouldn’t make an effort to do it.
Grabbing a rag from the sink and the broom and dustpan, she gathered up the glass shards and put them together. She could feel Phillip’s stare on her. She wanted to kick him out. He needed to leave. She feared what retaliation she’d face if she went through with it but would she really lose anything? He didn’t contribute to the income or help out with the housework. What once felt like a convenient relationship was now turning into something Amelia feared and he was pushing her over the edge.
“You got nothing to say?” Phillip yelled, taking a few steps toward her.
“No, I have nothing to say.” Amelia took the glass to the trashcan and dumped it. “I have nothing to say to your childish temper tantrum.”
“Temper tantrum?” Phillip let out a laugh and grabbed another beer from the refrigerator. “You’re the one that said something stupid, Amelia! Gosh, don’t you know I love you?”
“I’m calling it like I see it.” Damn it! Another thing she knew she probably shouldn’t say! She couldn’t help it. She had enough of the abuse Phillip had no problem handing out.
Grabbing her arm, Phillip yanked her toward him, slamming her back against the wall. Picture frames rattled behind her and she let out a yelp when his grip tightened around her wrists. His stale breath was nauseating and she turned her face away to try and get some fresh air.
“I’m a man, Amelia! You don’t talk to a man that way!”
“Let me go, Phillip! Please!”
His grip didn’t loosen up and he pushed her against the wall again, his body pinning her to it. “You’re gonna learn to not talk to me like that! You’re gonna learn to watch that mouth of yours! Your mouth is only good for one thing! How about we get it doing what it should?”
He released one of her arms and began to unbuckle his belt. Amelia knew exactly what that meant and she’d be damned to go through it again. Phillips’ attention was on his arousal in his jeans, which was the perfect time for her to act on it. His hand loosened on her other wrist and now was her chance to act on his vulnerability.
Lifting her leg, she kneed him right in the groin - it was perfect timing, as he had just freed himself and was fully exposed to her. Groaning out in pain, he fell to the floor like someone had shot him. Curling up into the fetal position, he looked up at her, cringing in pain.
“You stupid bitch! Why?”
“I want you out of my house, Phillip! Get out of my house, now!”
He didn’t move. Instead, he looked up at her, his laugh eerie, making the hair on the back of her neck stand up. “Bitch, I’m not going anywhere. I’m gonna get you for that!”
She stepped out of reach of him, grabbing her phone off of the kitchen table. He slowly crawled her way, reeling in pain with each movement toward her. It was a sight she was enjoying - Phillip hurting, crouched on the ground away from her. The bastard got what he deserved but she couldn’t enjoy it for too long. He’d eventually get his strength back and then she’d be in even bigger trouble. His anger would play out as a temporary pain killer and she wouldn’t be able to compete with his strength fueled by his rage.
Running out into the front yard, she dialed 911 and waited. To hell with making a scene for the neighbors. What had they ever done for her? There was no doubt they heard the constant fights and never made it a point to come check on her.
“911, what’s your emergency?”
“My boyfriend is trying to hurt me. Please hurry!”
“Where are you at, ma’am?”
Amelia gave the dispatcher her address. Her heart skipped a beat when Phillip ambled onto the porch, in a standing position though his posture was slumped. His pants were back on but he was still holding his injured area.
“Hurry! Please hurry!” Amelia held the phone out. “I just called the police, Phillip! You need to leave!”
“You called the police? Good! You’re the one who assaulted me!”
Amelia heard the sirens echo nearby. Good! They were on their way. Her wrists ached and for a second, she did wonder if she’d get in trouble for kicking him. To hell with it. He needed to get away from her and this might be the only thing that would be a wake-up call for him.
Her neighbors were now all outside, watching the domestic dispute play out before them. Amelia felt awkward but at the same time, she wanted to tell them all to go to hell. Everyone turned a blind eye until it all boiled over into a massive explosion.
A police cruiser pulled up to the curb and two cops got out - a man and a woman, both pulling their notepads from their pockets. The man went straight to Phillip, ensuring he wouldn’t get through to Amelia.
“The bitch hurt me! You should be putting her ass in cuffs!”
“Ma’am, can you tell me what happened?” The female cop poised her pen in her finger, ready to write out Amelia’s statement. How in the world had she become the battered woman? She always wondered how women could ever let it get this far out of hand. And now she was living that life. “Ma’am, are you okay?” the cop asked, pulling Amelia from her daydream.
“Yeah. I’m fine. I just want him away from me.”
“We’ll get both of your statements. Don’t worry, my partner will not let him get to you.”
Amelia recapped what had happened, even including details from previous fights. Hopefully, that’d be enough to get Phillip gone, but somehow she had no faith in the justice system.
“I want to file a restraining order on him.”
“We can do that, ma’am. We’ll need to take you down to the station to get the proper paperwork filled out.”
“Anything you need,” Amelia replied, glancing over at Phillip who was yelling at the top of his lungs, his anger still very much out of control. “I want that son of a bitch out of my life.”
Chapter Seven
“How was your therapy session?” Rodney gripped the steering wheel as Susan climbed in the truck. She looked a litt
le less tense and her smile seemed a little more genuine than just a few days before. She looked youthful, like the young woman he had met years before and fell head over heels for.
“It went well, Rodney. It’s a new therapist and she’s really energetic. She has a lot of good ideas and I can stand to listen to her for an hour without feeling like jumping out of the second-story window.”
“That’s great.” Putting the truck in gear, he merged out into the street. “You got anything you wanna do while we’re out? Any groceries or anything you need?”
“No, I’m good. When does Justin get out of school?”
Rodney glanced at the clock on the dash. “In about an hour.”
“You don’t need to go back to work?”
“We’re working on a roof today and since it looks like a storm is coming in, he sent us home early.” He omitted the fact that he also didn’t want to have Justin get home from school and be alone with her. Carol had put in enough time helping them and he didn’t want to call her. It was best to avoid a fight, especially since Susan seemed normal. He’d take what he could get. “So, what do you wanna do?”
She wiggled her eyebrow and scooted to the middle seat, her hand brushing against his thigh. “I really am sorry, Rodney. I know you are sick of hearing the apologies and the shallow words but I’m gonna prove it to you this time.”
“How do you propose you’re gonna prove it to me?” Rodney was enjoying her playful mood, even though he was still very angry with her. He wanted to keep loving her. He wanted to get over his grudge. But he also didn’t want to let his guard down. She was good at manipulation and he would be the first to admit he wasn’t the strongest when it came to her.
“Let’s go home. I can think of a few things we can do to burn that hour before Justin gets home.” Her hand moved up his thigh and she kissed his neck, the shock of the physical touch almost sending him into the oncoming lane. “Easy there, babe. Don’t want to get you flustered.” She giggled and it sent a jolt through his stomach. Would a therapy session work that fast to knock her out of her funk? She really seemed to have responded to whatever they had talked about during the session.
Never Let You Go: Save Me Series Book 2 Page 4