The Wonderful Story of the Lyling Family

Chapter 10: Killing Love

This is the story of my aunt (Natalia Lyling)

My husband's job made us very wealthy, although I never knew what he did. As the last day of school ended, I picked up my kids, excited to start my two months vacation from work and most stressed. Each child comes in the car screaming "Ma-drid! Ma-drid! Ma-drid!" My family goes on a trip to Spain every summer. Madrid was always crowded when we tried to sightsee. The floral concrete complemented the bright red, yellow, blue, green, and purple decor surrounding the buildings. My husband and three kids, Adyson, age sixteen, Jamie, age nine, and my little pride and joy Sammy, age four, would go to the Villa Magna hotel and stay in the biggest suite. My husband was good to us but never said much. He would cook, clean, and work while I worked as a real estate agent from seven to one. Even though we were very wealthy, I wanted to work for my own money, and I offered to pay for the trip every year, but every year he insisted. This year something seemed to bother my daughter Adyson.

"Where does Daddy work anyway?"

"I don't know, sweetie, but if it's making us money I won't question it."

"But, if he's working and it's making us money, why are you working?"

"Well, just in case. I need something to fall back on if your father loses his job."

"Well, that's stupid."

"Why is it stupid?"

"Because we have money, so you don't have to work."

"Shut up and go pack."

This year, we went as soon as June 1st hit. After we checked in and put our stuff away, I wanted to relax by the pool with my husband, but he told me he had important work to do, kissed me, my kids, and went off. We're on vacation! How could he possibly have any work? I thought. When he came back, the kids were fed and asleep. The entire day went by and I didn't even get to spend time with my hubby who I barely saw.

"Where were you?"

"I told you, I had work."

"Honey, we're in Madrid! What work could you possibly-?

"You never asked before, why are you asking now?"

My eyes wandered around his body. I spotted a dark red splotch on his pants. My eyes widened in concern and fear. I turned around quickly and began to contemplate what that stain could be from.

"What? What is it?"

I continued to lay in silence. Either that is my husbands' blood, someone else's, ketchup, or some spilled punch. I don't think it's either of the last two. I sat up, then stood up. I paced the room until he got up and stopped me

"What's wrong with you? What?!"

"What..is on..your pants?"

He paused for a second. He went to his suitcase, pulled out shorts, took off his pants, and put the new shorts on. He faked, smiled and went to bed. I walked over to him angrily and stared at him until he looked at me.

"What?!"

"You have blood on your pants! You're not gonna tell me where it's from? Whose it is?

He pulled out a knife from what it seemed like was his back pocket.

"I think you're moving a bit too fast!"

"Really now?"

"You really wanna know what I do for a living?

He grabbed my throat and jumped on top of my body. He fiddled with the knife. He quickly put it close to my throat and cracked a smile.

"Why don't you take a wild guess?!"

My scream woke my kids, the hotel employees, the security, and all the guests. To this day I don't know why he didn't kill me. He cut me but I didn't die. Even though I was the reason why he got arrested, he still spared me from dying. So what did I do? I splashed pool water in Sammys' face as he tried to catch me in the water tag. My kids and I played like this almost every day. I walked into my boss' desk and slammed my resignation letter in her face. I quit my job and kept all the money my husband had earned through his murder sprees. I had my divorce papers in hand as I casually walked away from the county jail.

-Anna Lyling Thomas