When the Bough Breaks

Chapter 15

DONTRELL POV.

As I watch Brittney leave with Carter, I'll admit that I was jealous. I kinda felt embarrassed too. I did that whole back and forth with Brittney even though I knew we don't belong together. But at the end the day I want her.

I sometimes I feel like I should just force her out of her marriage. Sometimes I think that's what she wants someone to do.

Kate walks to me.

"I can't stand him and I don't even know him", said Kate.

"Kate? You think I should just take charge?", I asked.

"What do you mean?", asked Kate.

"I feel like she's crying out for help and the only way she gets help is if somebody takes charge because she's not going to do it herself", I said.

"Dontrell, I honestly think that you should focus on yourself. Worrying about her shouldn't be your priority right now.", said Kate.

"Kate let's be real. She isn't safe", I said. "Just like you told me, if she leaves him and he hurts her or worst and you told her to do it then you got blood on your hands but if she doesn't leave him and he hurts her or worst than I'll have blood on my hand."

"You can't save everybody", said Kate.

"I'm not trying to save everyone. I'm trying to save her", said Dontrell.

"You're trying to save somebody that you've gotten feelings for that you shouldn't have", said Kate.

"Don't you have a bar to attend?", asked Dontrell.

"Don't be smart with me. I'm trying to save you the energy", said Kate. "She's not going to leave him? Why? Because he needs her. She may say that she doesn't love him anymore but trust me. He comes first."

"Kate have you even hung out with her one on one outside of this bar?", asked Dontrell. "I think you're making assumptions. You don't know much about her. You don't know what she's dealing with. She's dealing with a lot mentally and because of that, I think she doesn't know what to do. She listens to him in her ear all damn day and she's scared to venture off and do without him. I think she's scared to be alone."

"And that is exactly why I said he comes first. She may have feelings for you, but she knows it may not work out. So instead of her taking a risk with you, she's taking her chances with her husband", said Kate.

I didn't have anything to respond with. She was kinda right. I mean like in the back my mind I know it'll never be an us, but I want it to be.

"Kate, go back and tend to your bar", I said. "I'm good."

———

Later that night at around 11 PM I got into the bed to sleep until I heard knocking at the door.

I looked at the time again and stood up. I walked to the door and opened it. It was Brittney and Grayson. Brittney's face was brutally bruised. Almost unrecognizable.

"What the hell?", I asked.

"I- I need somewhere to stay tonight. Just tonight", said Brittney.

Her voice was trembling.

I let her and Grayson inside.

"He s- spazzed out and then next thing I know I was unconscious. I woke up and he was his normal self... well I don't know which personality is really him but he was the rational one. The one I married. He told me that I should leave because he realized what he had did.", said Brittney. "So I left."

I shut the door.

"You just need to stay here until you get on your feet. You don't need to go back. He burned your face, then this?? What's next?", I asked.

"I know. I know. I know what I have to do. But I just...I can't just leave him like that. Now that I know what he's going through. He's fighting with himself.", said Brittney.

"Brittney you gotta put yourself first", I said.

"Through sickness and health right? He's sick", said Brittney.

"It's your life on the line. Maybe even Grayson's too", I said.

"Don't say that", said Brittney as she got upset. "Why would you say something like that?"

"Because it's true. I'm not going to lie and tell you that everything is peaches and cream. It's not. That man is unstable. He will probably kill you eventually", I said. "Sad to say but it's true."

Brittney looks at Grayson and holds him close.

"Don't say that in front of him", she said as she looked at me.

I didn't respond. I was so upset about the situation that I forgot I shouldn't be talking about that in front of him.

"...you said it yourself. You don't love him. If there is love or faith in marriage, then it is no marriage. So why bring that vow into this when you are emotion detached from him", I said.

"I'm...scared to be alone", said Brittney.

"You're not. You got me", I said. "You know that."

"I'm a burden", she said.

I shake my head.

"I am", she said.

"You're not a burden. You need help and I'm willing to help you with complaining. You are not a burden", I said.

"...thank you for the offer...but he's not going to let me leave permanently. You saw what happened the last time", she said.

At this point, I was done arguing back and forth with her. She was right but at the same time she wasn't a prisoner.

I grabbed my phone and dialed 911.

"911 what is your emergency?", asked the operator.

"Um yes I would like to report a domestic violence situation", I said.

"No", Brittney said as she stood up.

I walked a few feet away from her and continued the conversation.

BRITTNEY POV.

As I listen to Dontrell talk on the phone, the scared part of me wanted to snatch the phone out of his hand but the other side of me that wanted to be free wanted him to keep talking. I guess that side of me was stronger because I just stood there and let Dontrell talk. I was tired of being scared and being beat on. I was tired.

TO BE CONTINUED...