Helpless

Chapter 2: Meeting the Monster

"Where are you going?!" bellowed a deep voice. The deep voice of my one and only husband. I turned around slowly only to see him towering over me; my nose to his chest.

"Oh hi honey. I uh... I thought you were at work," I stammered weakly. His eyes flashed with anger as he grabbed my hair and yanked my head to look up at him.

"You didn't answer my question Ella. Where. Are. You. Going?" With each and every word he only pulled tighter on my hair. My head burned, and I think I might be bleeding a little but I forced a smile as I looked up to my husband.

"I was just going to pick up the kids, Conner." If anyone came by and heard what was happening, I would have sounded totally fine. On the inside, I was terrified. "Then I was going to come home and cook you your favorite dinner, Chicken Parmesan."

He looked at me, almost as if he were studying me to see if I was lying, and said, "Fine. But hurry back. I'm getting hungry and I would like to see my children before I head back to work for the night." With that he let go of my hair but not before he gave it a little tug first. Almost like a warning telling me not to be stupid because I'll regret it.

Once he disappeared from my sight, I grabbed my keys and sprinted out the door to my car. That was close, I thought.

I looked into the rear view mirror and fixed my hair a little. Don't want the parents to think I just rolled out of bed. Or worse, sex hair... I shuttered at the thought of Conner touching me like that in any way. He's made it very clear that I don't look like I used to. But who does after having 3 kids? Not me, that's for sure.

***

When I arrive at the school I'm still about 10 minutes early so I lay my head back and close my eyes. I'm so tired. It's hard to sleep much when you're scared shitless that your husband will wake up and get the urge to start hitting you. He's done that more than I care to admit.

Sometimes I will go to Nora and her husband Parker's house if Conner is at work and the kids are at school. That way if he comes home I just tell him that I was paying bills or something like that. Usually he believes me.

Nora is the only one who knows what has been going on with Conner and I. Parker has seen some cuts and bruises but Nora always gives him a look so he doesn't ask. I think he knows what's going on but if he does, he doesn't show it. He's a good friend.

My mind is wandering all over the place. I can't help but let it take me wherever it wants...

**FLASHBACK**

"You look hot!" Nora exclaims, looking at me up and down. Nora has been helping me get ready for the past 3 and a half hours. Tonight is Conner and I's one year anniversary.

I'm wearing a beautiful black dress that's tight around the bodice and flows out to just above my knees. My shoes are 3 inch black heels with a shimmering gold around the point and my hair is curled down my back. My gold clutch matches perfectly with the shoes Nora bought me as an early Christmas present. And my makeup is flawlessly done but nothing too over the top. I think Nora would make a fantastic cosmetologist.

"Thanks Nora. And not just for the compliment but for everything: my hair, makeup, the clothes!" I sigh remembering the abundance of dresses to choose from in her closet. "I don't know why I'm so nervous. I mean it's Conner we're talking about." I smile thinking of how amazing he's been this past year.

Nora smirks at me knowingly. "Well ya know, it could be because you're gonna lose your v card tonight!" she squeals giddily. My cheeks are on fire from that little comment. Thanks Nora.