Keep running

Andrew never wakes up late. He always sets the alarm two hours earlier than her 8 am ritual. Only spending 15 minutes in the shower, spares him time to make coffee, and prepare toast. Gather the coffee, the toast, and his laptop; Andrew took a seat at his kitchen island. With the remaining time, he sat and watched her sleep. Andrew chuckled to himself, “Her alarm goes off at 8am but she always wakes up an hour before that” Andrew said aloud to himself.

Francesca’s alarm goes off again, and it makes her smile. For once, she felt at ease, no one around to bark orders at her. She rolled over on her back thinking back to the woman she used to be, and the men she allowed in her life. It’s been a struggle getting to this peaceful state, and if she was being honest the memories of Malcolm still stain her mind. She grabs her wrist, a phantom pain, reminding him of how physically abusive Malcom Brewer could be.

1 year Ago

“Francesca, this is half cooked, again.” Malcom scolded his fiance. She was really in trouble when he said her name like that, she quickly, and timidly scurried back into the kitchen. As she reaches forward to take his plate; as quick as lightning itself Malcom grabbed her wrist. “It won’t happen again, this is my fault, the least I can do is have a meal hot for you.” Francesca replied in a rushed tone, quick to beg for his forgiveness before he could strike her across the face again. HIs eyes went wide with surprise at her response, he tilted his head upward, eyelids squinting scrutinizing her. “You're not mocking me are you?” Yes, she thought to herself. “No, I just know I can do better, I know you know that I can do better, but sometimes I am lazy and I shouldn't be.” Even though it took me an hour and a half to prepare everything, of course it wasn't good enough. If you were home on time instead of screwing your assistant, it would be hot. Francesca thought to herself, though she didn’t dare say this out loud. Malcom grunted and let her go, she figured if she started belittling herself before he got a chance, he would leave her alone. They had been together, two months, they met in June at one of her fathers annual wine mixers. They dated for a while, then he proposed mid October, so to say we rushed into things was the understatement of a lifetime. Malcom Brewer had not always been the jack off brute he is now.

When we first met he was so sweet, funny, and he could chat a bank teller into giving up all the money with ease. When his sister died is when things turned sour.Malcolm used to only get drunk late at night, then pass out on the couch watching old war movies, then he would start saying rude, and nasty things to me. Never before has he had a problem with my body, or how I dressed. Now he wants me to “cover up more, because nobody wants to see you jiggle.”

Since that day, Francesca has been seeing a therapist, she moved out of state, and got a new job. She did not want any parts of Malcolm, when she filed for devorce Francesca let him have everything. It was the best decision of her life, and not all the money in the world could make her go back.

Francesca thought she had cut all ties with her ex husband, if only she knew he was a lot closer than she thought.