Summer's Loss

Chapter 6

Brice

That night, Brice had trouble sleeping. His mind was in turmoil and he felt as if he wasn't himself anymore. Next to him, Annie was sleeping peacefully, without any worries. His mind wandered back to Abigail. The feeling he had when he saw her was something alien to him. And he knew it was wrong. He'd only known her for a day but he couldn't help himself.

He rolled over onto his side and let the sheets fall off of him. It was a bright night with a full moon shining down on the floor. He could see everything clearly. He got up and walked into the kitchen where he got a glass of water then sat down at the table to drink it. All he could think about was Abigail. Damnit! He threw the cup on the ground where it bounced and then rolled, spilling its contents across the floor.

Brice put his head in his palms with his elbows resting on the table. He sat that way for some time lost in thought. Then he stood up and went to the couch where he sat down and tried to fall asleep. When sleep wouldn't come he got up again and walked to the bathroom. He splashed water across his face and then looked at his reflection.

What's wrong with me? He turned around an turned on the shower. He was getting a headache so he turned it hot enough to fog up the mirror in seconds. He stripped and got in the shower. The water was scorching hot and it burned at first, but after a moment it began to feel better. He put his hands against the tile walls and let the water run down his face. He forced himself to think about his wife. Annabelle. Annie. He thought about when he started dating her in high school. That was so long ago. They were both so young and so happy. Then he thought about their wedding. He had been so nervous and she had been so beautiful. But even when he tried his best to force Abigail out of his mind, he would find himself thinking about her all over again, about her hair, her eyes, her voice, her smile, everything. He punched the wall and clenched his teeth, hating himself.

"Brice? Are you alright?" Annie pushed the bathroom door open, she was wrapped in a long bathrobe.
"Ya," he paused, " I just don't feel good right now." He looked at his wife. He hadn't closed the curtain when he got in the shower and his clothes were left in a pile on the floor.

Annabel walked to where he was standing under the water. "It's 2 in the morning." She reached out and felt his forehead.

"It's just a headache." He said in a blatant tone. He shut off the shower and climbed out, wrapping a towel around his waist. Annabel walked up behind him and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Come back to bed, baby." She whispered against his back.

Brice didn't move at first, he just stood in front of the mirror and looked at himself. He wanted to get lost in his wife, to forget everything that happened that day. But he couldn't. He kept thinking of her long hair. Her green eyes. Her flawless skin. Anger flashed throughout his body. He clenched his fists then turned around and grabbed Annabel by the shoulders. He pushed her against the wall and pressed his lips against hers hard. When he drew back, she took him by the hand and led him to their bed room.