Cathy and Zach fell asleep on the couch – they had exhausted themselves with strategies on how to talk Dale out of taking the money from Cathy and also making sure Dale does not kill them both out of his jealousy and hatred. Zach could not bring himself to think how a man who cared […]
“Will you believe me above all that you have already heard?” Cathy asked, not sure of what Zach wanted – if he wanted more to condemn her, or if he was ready to really listen to her side of the story.
“I have nothing to tell you. And I can handle this on my own!” Cathy threw the words at Zach and started to walk out. As she passed by him, he grabbed her arm and whispered, “If you walk out of this door, we are done!”
“Cathy… Cathy…” Cathy heard her name in a distance, but she felt too weak to respond. She felt a calloused hand wipe her tears, and she opened her eyes to see her husband looking down at her with worry. He dropped a light kiss on her cheek and smiled.
Zach was actually not asleep when Cathy returned. He had been waiting for her and only pretended to be sleeping in order to give her some space. He had heard all her movements, and he had deliberately put his arm around her and whispered that he loved her. What he did not understand was why she cried her heart out till she fell asleep. What had happened to her while she was out?
True to Cathy’s thinking, Zach was standing at the window, watching the street and awaiting her return. Recalling what had happened earlier, he advised himself not to ask her any questions. But he was itching for answers! He watched her pay the fare, step out of the taxi, adjust her clothes, and walk nonchalantly into the house.
Cathy’s breath caught in her throat, lost for words. She looked at her husband, who was also looking at her, expecting an answer. When none came, he repeated, “Where is your wedding ring, Cathy?” She should say something, she thought. She just did not know what to say. She fumbled, “I… it… oh Zach, I
Zach immediately carried Cathy off the floor and onto the couch and turned the fan on. “I’ll get the alcohol,” the other man offered. Zach was too worried at that moment to have noted that the man was familiar with the house. When they had revived Cathy with the alcohol, the other man went to
Cathy woke up with a start. She checked the time displayed on her digital bedside clock. It was 4am. She sighed and quietly got out of bed and went to the bathroom. She had to take a quick shower because she was sweating profusely. She had just had a terrible dream in which Dale had come to the house threatening to kill her if she did not return to him.
For some interesting reason, Cathy did not feel the least bit inclined to go anywhere that evening. She just wanted to be at home, watch movies, lie in her own bed, and yes, wake up at any time without any kind of pressure. So Cathy stayed at home and watched her series of movies.
