"From This Day Forward (Part 3 to One Night Stand)"

"Broken & Bruised"

Summer's heart was full. She hadn't been that happy in a long time. How could she be falling for someone when she was engaged to be married to someone else? Unless she wasn't truly in love with Jay. What about the pregnancy? She was potentially carrying Jay's child. But she longed for Dennis & more than anything she wanted to be with him. She believed that Dennis loved her like he had said. But who did she love? Jay? Dennis? Before Dennis came along, she was set to become Jay's wife. Jay had waited for her & had been around for all these years. Sure they had some rough times, but they had invested so much into each other. Jay was there for her when Stephen, her father died. Jay had a deep understanding of her situation because he had gone through a similar event in his own life with the passing of his own dad. Although the sun had already set before Summer reached home, she knew she still had time to get settled before Jay would come home from work. She didn't want him knowing that she was out the entire day spending it with another man. He'd be furious.

To Summer's surprise, Jay's car was parked in his spot in the driveway as she pulled in next to his car. He was already home. A chill went up Summer's spine as she thought of how angry Jay would get if he knew what she was really up to all day. She thought of excuses to tell him why she was late in coming home. She had to think quick. As she gathered up her purse, she thought to text Nat.

She texted Nat: "If anyone asks, I was with you all day."
Nat texted back: "Fine, but you owe me a drink tomorrow during happy hour."
Summer replied: "It's a done deal."

She opened the door to find the house completely dark except for one light upstairs. She walked up the steps & followed the light heading straight for the bedroom. Jay was sitting on the edge of the bed. He didn't look happy at all. He careful made a move when Summer walked in. Summer slowly put her things down on the bench at the end of the bed. She could see that Jay had been drinking by the glass on the nightstand. Jay was usually a reasonable person, but he turned into a monster when he was drunk & upset. Summer kissed Jay in the cheek.

Summer: Hi babe... You're home earlier than usual.
Jay: Surprised? Because I was surprised when I swung by the bridal shop you said you'd be at & I didn't see you there.
Summer: Maybe I had already left. What time did you stop by?
Jay: Funny thing is I spoke to the manager & she said no one came in that day with the name Summer.
Summer: It must've been a different store.
Jay: No, I checked. It was the same one you texted me about. Where were you?

Summer was in the bathroom getting ready. Jay had followed her in. Jay's aura seemed to be filled with anger. She knew he was ready to blow up any minute.

Summer: I was... With Nat. We just lost track of time.
Jay: Doing what?
Summer: Bridal things.
Jay: Are you lying to me?

Summer hesitated & with that, Jay snapped & started to raise his voice.

Jay: Answer me!
Summer: Jay, you're scaring me.

Summer darted into the closet to avoid Jay's wrath, but he only followed her in. Jay grabbed Summer by her already bruised wrists & pushed her against the closet wall. His grip around her tiny wrists were getting stronger & stronger. She asked him to let her go. The more she pulled away, the tighter his grip got. He then placed his hand over her throat to pin her against the wall. Tears were streaming down her face. She was frightened.

Summer: Jay... you're... choking me...
Jay: Listen, I can't have you running around town doing God knows what. I need to know what you're up to. You made me look so stupid in that store today.
Summer: I'm sorry...

Jay let her go & she fell to the ground.

Jay: I don't know where you went today. I don't know if you're even being honest with me.

Summer was catching her breath & massaging her neck. She quickly wiped her tears & was afraid to look up at Jay. He bent down as she crept back into the corner. She had her knees up & her body hovering over her knees. She was shivering & afraid Jay would only continue to hurt her. Jay had her in a corner, but instead of continuing to take out his anger on her, he held her. And just as before, he apologized for his actions.

Jay: We can't keep doing this, Summer. You have to be honest with me. Is there anything else you want to tell me?

She remained quiet for a minute, but told him everything about what transpired that day. She was scared that if she lied to Jay about Dennis that he'd eventually find out & be even more angry. She didn't want him to blow up in public in front of his co-workers, their friends or even her family. She was willing to take the physical pain instead of him ruining his name. She still cared for Jay in-spite of how he had been treating her recently. It started the week of her birthday & the violence had only escalated since then. Every now & then he'd slap her or hold her wrists tight enough to leave bruises. She was too afraid to tell anyone how Jay had been treating her. Jay always bounced back after their fights begging for forgiveness & she couldn't help but continue to forgive him.

Jay blacked out in anger & hurt Summer on a different level. Summer's mind escaped to the range where she & Dennis were horseback riding. In her mind she was back at the range with Dennis. Jay lost all ability to reason with & took all his anger out on Summer. After his bout of rage, he left Summer in the closet & returned to the bed. He soon started to snore as he fell into a drunken sleep. Summer remained in the closet. She was too weak to move. She felt broken & bruised. She was laying on her back & placed her hand over her stomach. How could someone who had claimed to love her hurt her like this? Jay may have claimed to love Summer, but his actions said otherwise.