New Friend in the Winter

Christian Camelot

1. The Cold Truth

I walk along the streets. I see children playing and laughing. I see their parents chasing after them trying to get them into their strollers or into the car to return to their home. I smile at the sight of a young boy and his sister sitting in the grass. The boy is about three and the sister looks like she's only 7 months old. Their dog circles them barking and licking them occasionally. I feel tears run down my face. My cheeks burn and my jaws are pulling my mouth into a frown. The sight of the two beautiful children is so beautiful but makes me so sad.

"What is the matter my dear?" my husband asks me.

"Oh I was just thinking." I reply wiping my tears

"Something has to be wrong. Ever since we got married you have been sad and hardly ever wear a smile anymore." my husband hugs me, "But it's only when you are around children that it happens. Does it have something to do with children? Do you not like children?"

"It's not that at all." I say pulling away. I know what I am about to tell him will only make him hate me. "It's just my body can't bear children."

"You're lying to me." my husbands eyes grow cold and dark. "You're perfectly healthy!"

"No it's not. It never has been." I lower my head in fear that he will strike me.

"Let's go home." He leads me to the car that he owns.

We go home and we go inside. Taking off my jacket I noticed that he is putting his phone in his pocket and looking at a picture we took when we were first married. It was still one of the few pictures we had. We have been married for going on a year and two months now. I always smiled at that picture but today it's different. This feeling I have deep in my stomach is a sickening and terrified feeling. Why was I afraid? Why did my body not want to turn my back in his direction? Why am I getting all worked up?

I hang my coat and turn around. A blast to my stomach sends me to the floor. There is only one thing in my mind. Why? I didn't understand. I knew he would be upset. I knew we would probably get a divorce but this? I never in my life thought he he would strike me. I was helpless now that I was on the floor.

"Why?" tears flow from both my eyes.

"I hate being lied to!" he yells at me

"I never said anything until now and even then I told you the truth. I didn't lie to you." my voice is squeaky and not at all stern.

"Not telling me was lying." he growls and stomps his foot in front of my face.

"I didn't think it would matter to you." I whine practically begging for mercy.

"You think I don't want a family? I wanted two sons and perhaps a girl!"

"I can't help what disables me!"

"Get your stuff and get out." his voice is cold.

I wait till he's in the other room before I get up. I am scared that if I am caught standing near him he will only hurt me again. As fast as my legs can carry me I practically run to the bedroom and pack as fast as I can. I have three suit cases full of unfolded clothes of all sorts when he comes in. I cower to the floor next to the bed on my knees.

"I'm going to get some shells for my gun." he snatches his coat. "If you aint' gone by the time I get back then one of those shells is gonna' be in your head!"

As soon as he pulls his jacket on he throws the keys to my car at me. At least he is allowing me to have my car to go in. I pray he doesn't harm it on his way out. I watch him get into his car and drive off. I know instantly how much time I have. The store is a 15 minute drive away. It will take him all of about a minute to buy the ammo and a total of 5 to be in and back out of the store. That leaves me a minimum of 34 minutes to be gone. I quickly throw the rest of my undergarments into a bag and hurry out the door. I load all my stuff (Which isn't really very much) into the trunk and back seat of my car. I have $600 to my name. That should be enough to get back to my parents house on. My parents live about 13 hours away in Arkansas. I live in New Mexico so its a good distance.