The Friendly Affair

Three

Four Years Later

"WHERE THE FUCK IS THE DAMN BEER!"

I rolled my eyes at Eugene's outburst as he slams the fridge door. "You drank it all dear."I called out from my spot in the laundry room trying to fold our clean clothes.

Eugene stomps into the small room like a child with a deep sneer."Then go out and me some more!" He yells while smacking me harshly on the back of the head. I wince at the throbbing pain from being hit for the umpth time for the day. My body has been riddled with cuts and bruises. Most are hidden out of plain sight which luckily for me the ones on my face are light enough to cover with concelor.

"Yes yes."I sighed not wanting to argue.

I stop my folding and head up stairs to get ready to head out to the continence store. On my way to my room I glance into Blaze's. He was sitting on his bed reading a book. For an eight year old he was an very upkept child and he does well in school. I was just happy that his father hasn't went after him, in fact the two of them ignored each other like the plague which both good and saddening. They used to be so close and now they ate like complete strangers living under the same roof.

"Blaze,"I knocked on his door frame gaining his attention."Want to go to the store with me?"

I always tried to take Blaze anywhere with me as much as possible. I feared if I left the two alone something horrible might happen.

"Okay."Blaze hurries to put his shoes on and follows me to my bedroom.

Eugene and I no longer sleep together unless he has a "need" for me. The room was once a storage room by how small it was but it worked out for me. I grab my sweater and wallet and slipped on my shoes before guidimg Blaze downstairs to the back door. We rarely ever use the front anymore since it would take longer to the places we needed to go. The longer I take, the worser Eugene gets.

Blaze stayed by my side the entire time. His eyes kept forward while his small hand clutched my shirt. He rarely ever leaves my side when we left the house. I suppose it is because he is a bit wary of strangers. As much as I appreciate his concern I miss the little spitfire that would smile and laugh carefree. He's grown up too quickly for a eight year old.

Once at the store I grab the biggest case of beer they had and paid. I sighed seeing how much was left in my wallet. There wouldn't be enough for another case and knowing my husband it would be gone by tomorrow night if not morning.

While we walked back home Blaze tugs at my hand."Papa why does Dad drink? Why is he this way?"

My heart felt heavy as I tried to explain. Eugene had lost his job that day for years ago. Machines have taken the place of humans in the company Eugene worked for. In his line of work many people got hurt and even sued in hopes of getting high wages. Not wanting to pay any more the company brought in machines to do all the work and basically told everyone to get their final checks and get out.

Distraught, Eugene used his last check to drink away his anger. Unfortunately that anger never left and he took it out on me. Blaming me for everything that had happened. To think the flame of his anger hadn't withered four years later.

When we arrived home loud voices from the living room could be heard. Groaning I told Blaze to pack up his sleep over bag knowing the outcome for the night. I watch Blaze run upstairs before heading to the kitchen to unpack the beer to place in the fridge. Slap! I grunt painfully as a sudden hand slapped my arse. Glancing over my shoulder I am greeted by one of my husbands drinking buddies, Travis. Travis has been trying to get in my pants before Eugene's personality  flip. Now that Eugene doesn't pay attention as much anymore Travis tried in many ways possible to sleep with me, claiming I would like it so much I wouldn't go back to Eugene. Yeah not happening.

"Hello Travis." I greeted dryly.

"Hey Pete, your hubby sent me in here to grab for beer. Got any?"I rolled my eyes before nodding and stepping out of the way for him to grab what he needed.

"Papa I'm ready."Blaze came down with his back pack over his shoulders.

I nodded calling out to Eugene."Eu-Flash I'm taking Eithan to his aunt's!"

"Whatever. "Eugene called back in a drunken slur.

"Come on Blaze."

Slap! I stumbled at yet another slapping."See ya later Pete."I control my composer and hurriedly lead Blaze to Aunt May's.

🔱

"Sorry for intruding on you Aunt May."I apologize when we arrived to my old home in Queens.

Aunt May happily let us in and dotted on Blaze until his cheeks were red with embrassment. May had made meat loaf for dinner and fed us until we were full. Then we sent Blazeoff to bed.

Aunt May sets a cup of tea in front of me. The smell already easing some of my worries away which I was grateful for, even if it were for a little bit.

"You boys are always welcome to come here Peter. This is your home too after all."She said placing a comforting hand on mine.

"I'm just,"I sighed shakingly."I'm just so lost Aunt May. I miss the man I married, even before we got together never has it been this bad."

In the beginning I didn't want to trouble my aunt with my problems. Although she didn't pry as much I knew she knew something was wrong. When I came to drop Blaze off one raining afternoon, the make-up was washed off revealing the torture Eugene unleashed on me a few days earlier. I broke down and told her everything. She wanted to call the police but I convinced her not to. Why I've done that I have no clue. I suppose I tried to convince myself that it was just a shock, a phase that will pass and all will go back to normal. Yet here I was running away to avoid another drunken beating.

"What you need to do dear is to get your head cleared out. I'll take care if Eithan for a few days." Aunt May then leaves the room and comes back with her purse in hand. She digs into it pulling out a few hundred dollar bills. I instantly stopped her from handing it to me.
I couldn't take the money she worked hard to earn. The mortgage for the house is not cheap and she tries to keep it as long as she could. Uncle Ben built the house with his bare hands, to sell it was out of the question.

"Peter I still have enough money. You need to let yourself loose once in a while. Believe me honey you need it, deserve it. Please, I don't want my little boys coming here to run away from their own home. I want you to be happy. You won't be until you think of your future with Eithan be it with or without Eugene."

I sighed. She was right. I needed to clear my head even if it was for few days. Something has got to change living this way wasn't and isn't an option anymore. "Okay.I'll take as long as you agree to let me pay it back."

Aunt May smiled."Your happiness is all the payment I require."