Discovering Truths by B. Benfield (chrysanthemum read aloud .TXT) 📕

just my personality, or maybe my depression and sense of loneliness had always been there. I didn’t understand why it chose this point of my life to take over.

“Things will happen as they should.” She said. I knew that. That was another thing I was sure of.

“You can afford a place by yourself,” I said. “You don’t need me.”

“I don’t need you for the money, I need you for the emotional stability.”

“Aw, Melinda, you know I’m always here for you.”

“I know,” she said. “But it would be fun to live together.”

“Yeah, it would.”

***

I sat in the bathtub, submerged in hot water and bubbles with the lights turned down low and a candle lit. I needed quiet time to myself to relax and reflect on how my life had changed gears, yet again. Only this time, it was the direction I wanted it to go. My eyes were closed as I laid on a bath pillow against the tub. The door flung open and the light turned on, causing me to squint my eyes and sit up straight.

“Marcus, what the hell?”

“Where’s my grey suit?” he barked.

“It should be in the closet where it always is.” I said.

“It’s not there, and it’s not in with the dirty clothes. Did you take that one to the cleaners?”

“Well, if it’s not in the house then yes, it must be there.”

“When was the last time you went?” he asked. The irritability in his voice didn’t go unnoticed, and I started to worry. This behavior was unlike him.

“I don’t even really remember.” I said honestly.

“Damnit, Abby,” he growled. “I need that suit for tomorrow.”

“What’s the big deal? You have plenty of suits.”

“But I want that one,” he said. “You’ve really been slacking lately.”

“Excuse me?” I said, standing from the water. I stepped out of the tub and onto the mat, dramatically splashing water as I moved. I grabbed my towel and wrapped it around my body. “Slacking?” I asked.

“Ever since you got that job…”

“And in what areas am I “slacking” exactly? I’d love to know.” I said defensively.

“The dry cleaners for one,” he said, walking into our bedroom. I followed right behind him, clinging to the towel around my body. If he wanted to start a fight, I was ready.

He continued, his voice rising. “You barely cook anymore, my coffee isn’t ready in the morning, and I can’t find anything in this damn house. It used to be immaculate.”

I fired back, my voice the same angry level as his. “I don’t cook because you’re never here, but when I do, you always have a plate waiting. Sometimes I don’t have time to get your coffee ready because I’m getting ready for work myself, and you’re so full of shit because if there’s one thing I definitely do it’s keep this house spotless, so if you can’t find something that’s your own damn fault.”

He looked at me with fiery eyes and in that moment, I knew it was about to be war.

“Watch your mouth with me.”

“Well stop accusing me of stuff that isn’t true!” I yelled. I was livid.

“I’m warning you, Abby. Take it down a notch.” He seethed.

“Or what, Marcus? I’ve about had it with you!” I yelled. “And since we’re accusing, why aren’t you ever home? Why are you always so busy?”

“What is that supposed to mean? If you’ve got something to say, then say it!”

I did have something to say. I wanted to say that I knew why he was never home, how I knew why he was acting differently, and how I wasn’t in love with him anymore. Yes, I’d come to realize that I definitely wasn’t in love with him anymore. He’d always have a place in my heart, but after all the crap between us, how could I be in love with him?

But I wasn’t ready to go there with him yet. I wanted to, so badly, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it.

“I have nothing to say to you, Marcus. I’m done with this crap.”

“That’s what I thought.” He said.

“Oh, fuck you.”

“What did you say to me?” he said, grabbing my arm. I clung harder to my towel as I tried to wiggle out of his grip, but I wasn’t going to back down.

“I said, fuck you.” I repeated.

He wrapped both of his hands around my arms and pushed me against the wall. Marcus wasn’t a big guy, but he was still a guy, and stronger than me. He brought his face close and bored his mean eyes into mine. “Don’t you ever say that to me again.” He growled. He pushed me again and stepped back. I stood there frozen, watching as he flew to the closet where he grabbed a bag and began slinging things in.

“What are you doing?” I asked.

“Staying somewhere else tonight.” He snapped.

“Where?”

“I guess a hotel, Abby. I can’t be around you right now.”

I watched in silence as he grabbed a suit, his bag, and headed downstairs. I knew if I responded, the fire would ignite again, and it’d already gone farther than I ever suspected it would. I heard the garage door open and I peeked out the window to see his headlights pulling out. I sat down on the bed, still wrapped in my towel and took a moment to bring myself together. I couldn’t cry. Marcus wasn’t worth my tears. This incident was just another piece added to the nightmare that was my life. I didn’t know how much more I could handle before I completely broke.

Finally, I was in bed, although I didn’t know if I’d actually get any sleep. There was too much on my mind and none of it made any sense. I grabbed my phone and checked to see if there was a