I watch as the happy couples laugh and drink wine, the complete opposite of what is going on here. I believe the only one that's drinking is me, seeing as how Dan has decided he doesn't wanna show up. I'm already filling a little tipsy and pissed off but that's nothing new. I laugh silently to myself, what the hell am I even doing here? My husband can't even show up for the dinner he planned, you know what? Screw this, I'm leaving. "I'd like to pay for the wine, can I get a bottle to go?" I ask politely. I'm gonna need it at the rate this night is going. I was honestly looking forward to dinner, the whole afternoon was shitty. Guess today just isn't my day, fuck being twenty seven am I right? I laugh, just as I rise from the table. Guess who walks in, yep Dan. His hair is messy and his tie loose, "Sorry honey, sorry I'm late" he says out of breath. He presses his lips against my warm cheek, making me flinch on the inside. "I see you've already began without me" he says, staring at the wine glasses. I nod and have another seat, "Maybe if you would've been here on time that wouldn-" I begin but as soon as his eyes shoot to me.
Giving me a deadly glare to keep my mouth shut, I do. Even if I really didn't want to. The constitution had allowed women rights but no matter how many times we had protested and no matter what the paper says. Some of us are still property, chained to our husbands like property. I wonder how many women have been where I am now, afraid to speak because of their husband or boyfriend. Hell even women can be abusive to men and treat the men like animals. "We would like to order the steak, for the both of us" Dan says, I don't enjoy steak. "Um, actually can I get the Fattoush Salad, please" I say, I notice Dan's jaw clench but I ignore it until the lady walks away with the menus. I hate to trouble her, "What the hell was that?" Dan finally asks not making eye contact. I twiddle my fork in my hand, "What was what?" I ask. "You don't eat salad, you don't even like salad" he says, I scoff, "I do like salad, you never let me order it. I don't make it for dinner because you don't like it" I say. I have a salad for lunch three times each week, Dan tries to keep from lashing out. He doesn't want to cause a scene, I hope this night ends quickly. The lady comes back with our food and more wine, Dan gives her the kind of smile that says he's a great guy. If only she knew. I sip the rest of the wine in my glass, thinking about what's gonna happen when Dan and I are alone.
How many bruises are gonna trail my body in the morning? Part of me doesn't wanna leave the restaurant. Maybe if I pretend to pass out he won't do anything to me, "How was work?" I ask before taking a bite of salad. This conversation probably won't last long, seeing how he's already pissed at me. "It was a hard day, how was your day honey? Your birthday go as plan?" Dan asks. He still doesn't look at me, perhaps it's better for him that way. Looking at me will just anger him more, maybe even to the point where he may kill me. "It was fine" I say plainly, taking a bite from my food. My first date with Dan, I was nervous but then I got comfortable with him. Now, I'm uncomfortable every time we're in a room together. "Till death do us part" that was in our vows. I didn't really think much of it, I wonder why people have that in their vows. "A professor at Arkwood University called today" Dan says, this time he looks at me. Shit, I've been trying to get into college and I signed up with Professor Farrell. "What are you hiding from me Jane?" Dan asks, maybe I could lie and say I was just looking into it this afternoon. "I'm not hiding anything, I was just curious" I mumble the last few words. "You're lying" he growls, slamming his hand down. Other people in the restaurant look at us, some whisper.
"Fuck this, I'm leaving" I say, I grab my purse and leave the restaurant. I can't do this anymore, I just can't. The man at the door gives me my coat and points me to my car. I hate expensive restaurants, when I was little I was never allowed in them. My mother was a waitress at a hamburger place, we didn't have money. I remember having to use the restroom and they told me I would have to find somewhere else because I wasn't allowed in a place like that. I walk to my car as I take my keys out, "Jane" I hear him call out. I listen as his footsteps approach loudly, I turn to him. "Dan, wait" I say, but his hand wraps around my throat slamming me against the car. "You humiliated me in there" he says through grit teeth. I try to breathe through my nose for air but it's slowly closing off as his hand squeezes. He let's go, "Get in the fucking car, we're going home" he says. I place my hand where his was and scoff, "I'm not going anywhere with you Dan" I say when he unlocks the door. I stand away from him, afraid that he'll attack me. He stands there, pissed as ever, "If you do not get in this car, there is going to be a problem" he says. I shake my head, "I'm not staying with you Dan" I say, I start to walk back to the restaurant where there are more people. Dan can't just beat me in front of everyone, but I'm too late. Dan yanks me by the hair and slams me to the ground, I feel my head hit the concrete and then everything around me disappears.
