True Love's Vow (Short Story)

Chapter 4

Christina woke up the next morning feeling like absolute shit. And it's not even because she drank. Okay, so she did sneak past Jay's study in the middle of the night to take one, two, okay the whole bottle of wine to her room. She slowly lifted herself out of the bed. The same bed she befriended through the whole of Sunday. She didn't see Jay at all that day since he decided to pour himself into his work all day. But today was Monday, today would be different, right? He had to drop her off, right?

She sighed and made her way into the bathroom; shuffling her feet across the floor, dragging her heart a long with it. She really dreaded going to school today, but it was her job and she had made a promise to the kids. On her first day of teaching, when everyone thought they could take over the new teacher, she laid down the rules. She gives them respect and they return it. She'll put in 50% and they'll meet her half way. It was an agreement that followed her for the next three years with every rotation.

Saturday night played over in her head while she stood in the shower. Jay hadn't actually defended her in front of his mom, but she could see that he's had enough. Instead of dwelling on the past, Christina decided to exit the shower and get ready for her day.

She stepped out of her room fully clothed and peered into Jay's office to find it deserted and his keys gone. Frowning, she quickened her pace into the kitchen to put together a quick breakfast so she could catch the bus. She glanced at the clock on the microwave and knew it was too late to make something if she wasn't going to be driven.

With an annoyed sighed, she stomped towards the closet and grabbed her coat and bag before heading out the door. She walked down the steps to see Jay leaning against his parked car on the other side of the street. Puzzled, she just stared at him until he lifted up a McDonald's bag and waved her over. She looked both ways before hurrying across the street. Not knowing what to say, Christina continued to stare at him. He gave her a small smile and gestured for her to get in the car.

The silence between them seemed to make the car more suffocating. She took a deep breath, ready to ask him why he had been ignoring her when he turned around. "I'm sorry for not being there this morning." Anger rose up from her feet and into her face. Clenching her fist and gritting her teeth, Christina took all of her power to not face him and stay facing the window. "You really think that's why I'm mad at you?" There was a pause. "So, you are mad at me?"

"Of course I'm mad!" She stared at her husband wide-eyed. "Would I have a reason not to be?" He sighed and gave her the breakfast bag which she reluctantly took. "It's not that I didn't expect you to be, I wanted to make sure that you were." He resumed before Christina had the chance to ask him what the hell he meant by that. "I know I haven't been the best person all these years-." He stopped again, noticing her expression but never gave her the chance to intervene. "Look, I know you want to say something, but just let me speak first, okay?" Without waiting for an answer, he sat back in his seat and looked away, refusing to look his wife in the eye.

"My mom isn't very fond of you, that much's obvious. But you shouldn't let that hold you back. She's not the one that married you, she's not the one that told you she loved and held you while you cried all those nights. I love you and you know why I love you. Dammit, I practically devoted my life to you years ago when I first said 'I love you.'" He swallowed before continuing, still not looking at Christina. "I know I should've stood up for you, but ever since my fathers death she's gotten more sensitive, you know? I just, I just try my best to make her happy but she doesn't see that me being with you makes me happy. And I just don't know why!"

Christina inched away from her husband, clutching the brown bag in front of her like a shield. She knew he was angry but she didn't know who he was angry with. Jay leaned forward and rested his head on the steering wheel and tried to calm his breathing. "I didn't mean to scare you, I'm sorry. I just....I guess I just got tired of watching my mom walk over you." He lifted his head and glared at Christina. "And why didn't you ever say anything back? I mean, I admire your respect but I would've loved you more if you stood up to her; show me the strength in you that I didn't have."