Free Fighting for Arielle by Karina Sharp Page B

 
    “Damnit, Ari!” he yells.  “I don’t give a FUCK what you think I might prefer.  I told you I wanted to see you before you left.  When I tell you I want to see you before you leave, it means I fucking want to see you BEFORE you fucking leave!”
    He’s screaming now , and I don’t know what to do.  In my mind, I wonder if this is really happening to me, if I am really allowing someone to speak to me this way.  I always told myself I was too strong to allow someone to treat me like shit or abuse me.  Abuse is something I thought only happens in Lifetime movies starring Meredith Baxter or Tori Spelling, not to once regarded smart, vibrant, and strong people like me.  Plus, I tell myself, it’s not like he’s ever put his hands on me.  No.  No, this is not abuse because if it is, it’s certainly not going to happen to me.     
    With a little more resolve, I reply, “I know what you said.  I heard every word of it, and I’m telling you that you were out cold.  Snoring.  And since you’re always complaining about how tired you are, I made the decision to not wake you.”  
    I’m breathing more rapidly and a little surprised at my response.  
    Suddenly, I hear a crash and the sound of something breaking.  I look over to the side wall and see the alarm clock broken into pieces.  
    “GOD!  Why do you do this to me?  Why do you DO this to me, Ari?”
    I stand silently, not really knowing how or if I should respond.  I let the unreal situation circle around me and step back from myself, as if I’m watching a movie happen.  Did I really just witness him throw something and break it out of intimidation?  I do not condone that kind of behavior.  
    “I married you,” Brody cries as he slaps his hand to his chest.  “I brought you here with me.  I got us this apartment.  If you didn’t have me, you would have nothing.  You would be back in that shitty town and alone.  Do you really think anyone else is going to choose to love you?”
    I thought I had no more tears left in me after the huge cry I had earlier, but I was wrong.  I thought I could stand strong and not become a person whom I loathe, but I was mistaken.  Tears pour out of my eyes because I can’t hold them back.  
    “Oh, and now you’re trying to make me feel bad by crying.  Boo fucking hoo,” Brody mocks me. “What about me?  What about everything I’ve done for you, and what have you done for me?” His face is red and his hands are balled into fists.
    I choke on my tears as everything he’s just said to me seems very true.  “Brody, I-”
    He stands up and stalk s toward me until he’s directly above me, staring down at me with contempt in his eyes.  
    I cover my face and sob into my hands repeating, “I’m sorry.  I’m so sorry,” over and over, only I don’t quite know to whom I’m truly apologizing.
    Brody’s disposition changes and he says a little more quietly, “I’m sorry too, Ari.”  He lets out a sigh of frustration.  “Look, you just...you drive me crazy.  And I am tired.  I didn’t mean to lose control like that.  Please.  Come to bed with me, and let’s be husband and wife.”  
    He coldly places his hand on my shoulder and directs me toward the bed.
    Nausea overwhelms me.  I know precisely what be husband and wife means to Brody, and it’s the last thing I want to do right now.  
    Looking above my hands and through my tears, I mutter, “I don’t think that’s a good idea, Brody.”
    Glaring straight into my eyes he says, “You are my wife and we WILL be husband and wife.  Plus, you owe me.”
    I don’t owe him, or at least I don’t think I do.  I don’t know right now because everything is confusing to me at the moment.  
    “I reall y don’t want to, Brody.  Please,” I plead with him.  
    Becoming angrier he rocks back on his heels and says, “You’re lucky you even have someone willing to have you in their bed.  With your huge ass hips and waterslide