Kindness

The Storm and its Damage

   Rick smiled and dropped his suitcases. Rebecca walked back into the kitchen, but not before calling Drake inside to join her. He looked back at me hesitant to leave. I smiled weakly at him before he disappeared inside with one last glance. I still haven’t told him how Rick treated me. If he knew he wouldn’t let Rick set foot in this house, let alone leave it breathing.

I stood from the lawn chair and breathed inward.

“Ruth you’re more radiant than I remember you.” He laughed raking my body with his eyes. “I had wondered where you ran off to. Remind me to thank your sister, Jocelyn.”

I froze unsure of what to say. I didn’t think I would see Rick again. I had quit my job some time back and thought that ended our relationship there, but here he was still looking for me.

“What’s the matter Ruth? Didn’t think I’d show up today? I couldn’t wait till tomorrow; you might have run off in the night.” He smiled wickedly. “You didn’t think your ass would get away just like that?”

“W-we’re not in a relationship anymore Rick.” I stammered. “I want you to leave now please.”

“I’m not leaving unless your ass comes with me. You think you can just walk out without my say so? I tell you when our relationship is over! You don’t decide that Ruth.” He laughed walking toward me.

I looked toward the house searching for faces. No one was there. I could only faintly hear Drake and Rebecca’s voice somewhere in the kitchen. My father wasn’t home yet. I made a silent prayer to God to protect me from this monster. I couldn’t and wouldn’t let Rick tear me away from the only kindness I’ve felt since Drake and I were teenagers.

“Ruth,” Rick said grabbing for my arm, “Get your shit and meet me outside in five minutes.”

“My name is Gabriella!” I screamed at him. “I’m not going with you! You will not treat me like your punching bag just because I’m a woman and just because you think you can get away with it. You’ve never shown me an ounce of kindness Rick!”

I pulled away from him and headed toward the house.

“Out of kindness I actually believed you would see how much I cared for you. I prayed to God believing you were the one for me. I couldn’t have been more stupid!” I huffed out in anger. “I took your…your bullshit! I took my mother’s bullshit and took the world’s shit it threw at me. I’m tired of cowering in fear expecting everything to magically change! That’s insane and I realize that’s not what God wanted for me.”

“Oh and what does God want for you?” He smirked amused.

I was at the door now with my hand on the handle glaring at him.

“I believe God wants me to experience the same kindness I’ve shown to others. He wants my happiness and for me to love without the chaos that false love brought me.”

Rick let out a harsh chuckle and then his face became distorted with rage. He features were darker and when he looked at me I could see murder in his mind. His fist became clenched and his mouth was set in a tight line. I could see the veins in his arms protruding.

He rushed toward me and I pulled on the door screaming out Drake’s name. He picked me up and threw me into the lawn chair. Then he started punching me all over. I tried to shield myself with my arms, but he was too strong.

Rick growled infuriated. “I came here with the idea in my mind that I wouldn’t have to do this. I was going to show you I’ve changed. I was going to tell you about the counseling classes I’ve been taking, but no you wouldn’t let me do that would you? You just wanted to run your fucking mouth and talk your bullshit!”

I was screaming and kicking at him when suddenly the forceful blows disappeared. I gasped for air. When I opened my eyes Drake had Rick in a headlock and Rebecca was on the phone shakily talking to the police. Rick forced Drake back toward the fence and elbowed him. They tussled around the backyard.

I stumbled over toward Rebecca and she pulled me into her arms. I could hear her crying into the phone and pleading with the police to hurry.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry.” Rebecca cried into my hair.

Drake had Rick on the ground face first when unexpectedly Rick flipped over and pulled a gun from his waistband. He fired a round into Drake shoulder which caused him to fall backward. I screamed and pushed Rebecca into the house. Rick stood from the ground and pointed the gun towards me.

“Gonna sick your dog on me bitch?” Rick roared. “You thought that mixed monkey could take me?”

Drake struggled to get up before Rick turned to him and chuckled.

“I wouldn’t if I were you.” He said as he pointed the gun toward Drake again. “You’re lucky the first bullet didn’t blow your fucking brains out. Ruth we’re leaving.”

I started to cry and step from the shield of the house. Rebecca held tight to my hand before I pulled away. I looked Rebecca in the eyes and out of kindness I tried to hide my tears from her. Rick snatched me by the neck and pointed the gun at my head as we made our way to the front of the house and into his car.

When we were in his car he slapped me across the face. Drake came running out of the backyard holding his bleeding arm. Rick pulled off and Drake chased behind us. I looked back praying he would catch up to me and praying he wouldn’t.

Rick tried to watch the road and me. He pointed the gun at me again and smirked.

“I told you Ruth I decide.”

“My name is Gabriella!” I screamed on edge.

I reached for the gun and the car swerved. Rick tried to push me back and pull the car over, but instead the car sped up. The car crashed against others on the road and then flew into a tree.

 It flipped over a few times before we started to roll down a hill. I screamed scared and in a panic. Then suddenly I heard a pop and felt a pain in my chest. It all went black after that.

God if I must go with you now, please let me go in peace. Don’t let Drake suffer long. I’m sad that I couldn’t find happiness with him, but I’m glad I got to see him again and feel his unconditional love and kindness. I never expected to feel so happy even though it was short. So thank you God for showing me that. Thank you for your love, thank you for your mercy, and thank you for your kindness.

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