Glimmer of Hope

Chapter 3

"Just add that dress to mine please." Melanie requested.

"Certainly Ma'am." the cashier answered, and busily rang up Melanie's dress. "Ok that totals eighty five fifty."

"Alrighty then..." Melanie pulled out the money and handed it too the cashier. "Here you go."

Sarah was lost in her own world, not aware of what just took place. Melanie touched her shoulder softly. "Sarah, hon, let's go ok?"

Sarah was abruptly brought back from her thoughts. "Oh yeah, sorry Melanie."

In the car Sarah argued with Melanie. "Melanie you really didn't have to do that."

"Sarah, please no more discussion, I know I didn't have to, I wanted to. So do you think you left the money at home?"

"I would have to say that is where it is." Sarah nervously explained.

"Sarah, what is going on?" Just then they pulled up outside of Melanie's house. "Come in for coffee, and we can talk." Melanie told her.

Sarah looked over at her house and noticed that Mark was home. "Uh, no Mel, I better get home. We will talk soon."

"Sarah please...."

"Mel, I promise we will talk soon." Sarah leaned over and gave her friend a quick hug.

"Thanks for getting the dress." And she hurriedly walked to her house next door.

Melanie sat there for a moment watching her friend get in the door. "What is she keeping from me?" Melanie asked herself. She finally pulled herself from her car, she knew she would worry about Sarah all night. And she knew she had to get Sarah to open up to her, and soon. With that thought Melanie slowly walked to her door taking one last glimpse towards Sarah's house.

Sarah step inside the door, looking around for Mark. She placed her bag on the floor, and laid her purse on the table next to the couch. Sarah nervously walked across the room, she noticed the dinette was still a mess. She began cleaning it up when she felt a strong grasp on her arm. Mark swirled her around to face him.

"Just where were you at little girl?"

"I...uh...Melanie took me to the Bazaar today for a little shopping." Sarah stuttered.

"You went shopping? You went to go parade around town with your tramp friend when you knew this house needed to be cleaned up?"

"Mark please....I was not gone that long, and I am cleaning it up now."

"No Sarah, that is not the way it works around here. First you clean, then you can go out."

"Mark I am not your maid. I am your wife!" she raised her voice to him. Just then Mark slapped her across the mouth, sending Sarah into the kitchen counter.

"You will do as I tell you!" he screamed at her. "Yes you are my wife, and you are to do as I say!"

With that Mark grabbed a jacket and headed for the door. He turned to look at Sarah as she made her way back to the table and began cleaning it up.

"Don't you forget who is boss in this house!" he left and slammed the door.

Sarah then sat in the chair and cried. Her mouth was on fire, and she was sure she would have a nice bruise there. She felt the blood trickling down her chin. She made her way into the bathroom, and looked in the mirror. What she saw was horrifying. Her lip was swollen and split open. A bruise already started to form all the way up to her cheek. Sarah felt her stomach begin to rumble, as she hurried to the toilet and vomited. She slid down the wall with her hands in her face, and sobbed for what seemed an eternity. Sarah was unsure how long she sat there, but her mouth told her it was time to get up. She stopped in front of the linen closet and pulled out a wash cloth. She walked in a daze to the bathroom sink and moistened the cloth. She lightly patted her throbbing lip with the cloth, wincing in pain. Then she wiped away all blood that found it's way down her chin. When she was satisfied with the results she made her way slowly back into the kitchen. Sarah looked at the table and saw her blood that had dripped there. She stared at it a moment longer, wondering how she managed to get herself in this type of relationship. She cleaned up the table and then made her way to the freezer to collect some ice for her battered face. She felt the pain in her back as she reached into the bucket to pull out some ice. "Why is this happening to me?" Sarah asked herself. Just then the phone rang. Sarah debated on whether or not she wanted to answer. Her whole face seemed ready to burst. She held the ice on her face, welcoming the coolness as she walked to the phone. Reluctantly she picked up the phone and answered carefully. "Hello....she whispered.