I put on some plain white slacks and a white and blue button down. Heading out to the sea to harvest some oysters for dinner. I loved owning a beach side house, the sea always calmed me. But as ironic as it is, I couldn't swim. I've always been scared of going into the water since my father drowned. So I'd never learned to swim. But the past few weeks I've been going to the local pool every Wednesday. I don't know why, but I thought it might come in handy someday. I hid it from Jimmy because I knew he'd get angry with me for "wasting my time on something I should've learned years ago".
My husband jimmy asked me to marry him after only 4 months of dating. But I'd been so in love I couldn't refuse. I was aware of his ocd habits but I'd never imagined they would get to the point where he'd hurt me. If I left the towels uneven, the pantry unorganized, the cans of food facing different ways, I was in for it. I knew I needed to leave him but I just couldn't bring myself to. I loved him. and yes, he hurt me, but after he would buy me flowers or a dress or take me somewhere nice for dinner and apologize to me. I knew it was wrong but I just kept hoping it would stop. It never did.
My next door neighbors, Dr. Paul and his wife Lucy, had just moved in and they owned a boat. Jimmy was adamant on me going sailing with him and them, I didn't know much about them but I'd spoken to Lucy once and she seemed lovely.
Finishing collecting a fair amount I walked back to the house and began preparing dinner. Jimmy was still at work, he did something in sales and to be honest I didn't really know what he did. He'd been in a better mood lately and I didn't want to do anything to spoil it. He loved oysters, they were his favorite food, so that's why I decided to make them. I'd never cared for them, something about the texture made me uncomfortable. But I knew better then to complain.
Just as I finished up I heard him walk through the door, I rushed to the cabinet fixing things up so he wouldn't get angry But he seemed off already.
"I just met the doctor next door" he said with an accusing tone.
"Oh yeah? What's he like?" I questioned, I already didn't like where he was going with this.
"He's pretty good looking, told me our house was beautiful. When did he see it? While I was out of town last week?" He accused, his eyes shooting arrows through me.
I turned my back to finish dinner taking a shaky breath. "I've never met the doctor Jim, he must be talking about the exterior. You know how long I spend on the gardens." I began to turn towards him before feeling my head turn from the force of his hand. My cheek lit on fire and I felt his ring cut into me. My balance was knocked off and I hit the floor with a gasp.
"Don't you dare lie to me you fucking bitch" he rasped out, grabbing my arm and pulling me to him.
"Please! Please stop I didn't do anything I swear!" I cried out, feeling his nails dig into my arms.
He through me back on the ground before breathing deeply and closing his eyes. I kept my head down waiting for him to hurt me again, but the next touch I felt was gentle. He cupped my face as my tears stained my cheeks kissing me lightly and whispering in my ear.
"I'm sorry doll, I just get so worked up at the thought of another man with you. You know I didn't mean it."
He caressed my hair I nodded as I sniffled, hoping he would accept that and leave.
"Oh baby, Im sorry, you know I don't enjoy doing that. I hate having to hurt you." He said rocking me in his arms.
I wanted to run right then, leave and never look back. But I couldn't I had no way out. I was stuck. A let him hold me and caress me so he would feel better. And after a few moments he broke the silence.
