Bʀᴏᴏᴋʏʟɴ

ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ 1: Tᴇɴ ʏᴇᴀʀs ʟᴀᴛᴇʀ

It's been ten years since my long terrifying coma. It was a horrifying experience. I don't remember anything from that night when Tony kidnapped me. It was a huge blur, no matter how hard I try. I just can't remember. I was told from old classmates that he was dead along with another fellow classmate. He was shot in the chest twice by a gun. His family buried him at the local cemetery. My recovery from that coma kind of messed up my system. It's not bad but a little mild. It took me a long time to get my body back in shape. My mind wasn't itself either. I had to repeat the schooling process all over again. I'm not allowed to drink or smoke. I can't say my brain has fully recovered but it has its days. I often find myself daydreaming or dozing off. Then, I forget where am I or what I'm doing. I had to seek a therapist for a long time & take medicine for my anxiety. But all it does is make me sleepy & relaxed. I like the feeling of it.

Depsite the bad coma, some good things happened in my life. I got married & had two beautiful kids. Currently, I'm working at a lawyers firm as a secretary & part-time bank accountant. I get paid twice the amount. It's hard work but I can handle it. As for Michael, he's changed a lot. He's a part-time trainer for celebrities & models. He has another job but it's classified work. I assume its some sort of agency or undercover work. I didn't push any questions on him. He doesn't like to be questioned. As long as he isn't doing anything illegal like, it's fine with me.

As i put the rest of the dishes in the dishwasher, I heard the front door opened.

"Holli, I'm home!" A familiar deep soft-spoken voice said.

"I'm in the kitchen, Michael."

I heard a big thump which I assume was Michael's bag hitting the floor. His heavy footsteps came into the kitchen. I felt a pair of big warm hands resting on my shoulders.

"Your home late."

"I had to stay out because my client came in really late" He kissed my cheek "Which means double the amount of payment for lateness."

"Your dinner/breakfast is in the microwave."

He kissed my shoulder before walking towards the microwave & taking out his food. He sat down near the dinner table & ate. I wiped my hands & sat down beside him.

"So, how was work?"

"It was fine, same as usual."

"I got a promotion at work so that means I'll have more hours."

"Good" He mumbled before sticking the fork in his mouth.

I tapped my fingers against the wooden table. The awkward silence is killing me. There's no talking. He's not even looking at me. Did I forget to mention the strong tension between us? Me & Michael have been married for nine years. After the long coma, Michael has been distance from me. Whenever he comes home, he doesn't hold a conversation. If I asked him if we can spend time with each other, he'll just shut me down automatically with the word "work". The sex? I really don't want to get into that. I tried to talk to him about my coma & our marriage for the longest. But it seems to bother him whenever I mention it. I just wish I knew what's going on with him. He use to be open minded & honest. But now he's mysterious & secretive. What happened to him?

"The kids are participating in a talent show next week. They really want us to be there."

"Next week? On a weekend?" He questioned.

"Yes. Do you have to work?"

"I'm not sure yet."

I couldn't take the awkward silence anymore. I have to say something. "Michael, can we talk?"