Memory

Chapter 5

Jennifer P.O.V

"Ms.Gonzalez, why is your arm bruised!" Isabella asked while she and the class looked at my arm in terror.

"Shit, shit, shit," I cursed under my breath, quickly putting my jacket back on to cover up the bruises. "I-I'm ok, it's alright. I just hurt myself before, and I'm still healing," I said, lying straight through my teeth, I can't tell a bunch of seven and eight-year-olds that I have an abusive husband.

"I will be right back. Just stay in here until I get back," I hurriedly say, leaving the classroom and running to the bathroom as fast as I could in heels.

"Jesus Christ, they shouldn't have seen that," I mutter as I open the bathroom doors.

The image of their faces was going to haunt me for a very long time.

It truly warms my heart to know those kids care for me so much, but having children make such an expression also breaks my heart.

After locating the first aid kit, I cleaned myself up and my jacket and then bandaged the wound.

I put the kit back into the cabinet and walked out of the bathroom to return to the classroom and assure the kids that I was perfectly fine.

"Ok, kids, I'm back, and I am o-" I paused, seeing Manolo standing in the front of the classroom with his arms crossed, having a very pissed expression on his face. "Jennifer, can I talk to you in the hallway......Now? he asked, walking past me, trying to keep his composure since he saw the kids were already scared enough as it was.

Okay, don't even wait for my answer. Just walk right past me and expect me to be right behind you.

"Give me one more minute, kids. I'll be back again," I said, walking out of the class, fidgeting with my wedding ring.

Once he saw me walk out, he closed the door behind me.

"Jennifer, I am going to try my very hardest to stay calm with you as long as you answer my question truthfully, okay?" he said, leaning against the wall.

"Alright," I mumbled, glancing at him.

"Does Nicolas" he hesitates, "Does Nicolas abuse you?" he asked as my heart completely sank.

I was too scared to tell him the truth. Believe me, I've thought about telling him before, but I know what Nicolas would do if he found out I told people about what happens behind closed doors.

Sadly, there's no backing out now because he's already got a hunch about it.

"Yes," I pause, "He abuses me."

As soon as those words left my mouth, Manolo's face changed from pissed to enraged. It looked like he was ready to kill Nicolas the moment I said attack.

"Jennifer, what the hell, how long has this been going on!?" he yelled, grabbing me by the shoulders.

Oh no...not again.

".....It started when I was twenty-five, during that summer break, to be exact," I answered, starting to tremble under his touch, which he noticed.

"Oh....Jenni, I'm sorry I didn't...I didn't mean to scare you, I promise," he said, letting go of me as his voice changed from enraged to soft and saddened.

"It's alright, Manolo. I know you wouldn't hurt me. I just have PTSD from all those times Nicolas did, and it turned into something much worse.

"I understand," he nodded his head, "but Jenni, what I don't understand is the fact he's hurt you so bad to the point you've gotten PTSD from it. Why stay with him? I know you're strong enough to leave him, so why?" he asked, looking at me with disappointment.

"I know, I know I....I just can't leave him, at least not now," I whispered the last part, looking away.

He rolled his eyes, turning my face to look at him again. "Does he hurt you for the satisfaction, or are there reasons behind it?".

Yeah, the reason is that I'm such a disobedient wife in his eyes, and he feels he should beat me to teach him a lesson.

"Well, there's kind of a reason behind it." I started off knowing this wasn't about to end well. "See, I mess up a lot at home. For example, he gets mad whenever he comes home from work and dinner isn't ready. Or when I disrupt him from his work or when he's busy. Basically, whenever I do something wrong, he gets pissed with me and then puts his hands on me," I explain, feeling so much shame run over me.

"And you haven't once, and I mean once, thought to go to the police or find some sort of way out or at least come to me?" he asked in that sad tone.

"Do you not trust me enough, Jenni, to tell me these sorts of things?" he asked out of the blue, giving me a look that would make anybody feel sorry for him.

No, no, Manolo, I do trust you. I've always trusted you. I just didn't know how to tell you without pissing you off because I figured if I did, you would confront Nicolas about it, and I already know what he would do to both of us if I exposed our business," I explained, hoping he believed me.

"Mm, well, I'm happy you told me the truth, but you really need to leave him at some point because you shouldn't be going through this, it isn't healthy."

"I know, but for now, let me handle it, and if I can't, I will gladly come to you, okay?"

"Judging by what's hiding under your jacket, it doesn't seem like you've been handling things all that well with him, but I will trust that you will keep your word and leave him as soon as possible."

"Thank you," I said, giving him a warm smile.

He returned the smile but then pointed out that we should return to the classroom because the kids would get curious and start, if not already, eavesdropping on us.

When we re-entered the class, all the students came rushing towards me in a panic, asking me if I was okay. "It's okay, it's okay, I'm fine. The bruises on my arm were from another incident I had at home in the kitchen, nothing to worry about," I explained, hoping this would finally calm them down.

"R-really?" Isabella asked as she walked to me, giving me a big, tight hug.

"Yes, I am ok," I responded, rubbing her head.

"Okay," she said, giving me that cute smile that I adore so much.

After everybody had fully settled down, Manolo returned to his class, so I decided to clean up as much as I could before the next class came in while the children packed up their things.

"Ok, class is now over, so go stand next to the door as usual, and I will walk all out," I instructed as I tidied up the room.

"Ok," the students yelled while they followed my instructions.

Shortly after tidying up the room, I walked to the door and told the kids they could leave and enjoy the rest of their day.

"Bye, Ms.Gonzalez".

"Bye-"

"Hey, Ms.Lopez?" Isabella said, cutting me off.

"Yes," I replied, wondering what she wanted to tell me.

She then suddenly embraced me and said, "I hope you feel better soon," then left the room.

A soft smile emerged as I thought of having a kid like her one day.

Just not with Nicolas.