Free Fairytales by Cynthia Freeman Page A

from my home.”
    “Okay, you can have all the comforts you’re accustomed to, since you feel I’ve deprived you so … but you can live there without me. Do you hear, Catherine, because I’m leaving. I’ve had enough of this for ten years.”
    “You shouldn’t have married me! Should’ve married someone like your sister Theresa.”
    “You’re absolutely right.” With that, he hurried into his clothes, grabbed a suitcase from the closet and began wildly to pack.
    “And where the hell do you think you’re goin’?”
    He didn’t answer, just kept on packing.
    Catherine jumped out of bed and stood in front of him, “Dominic, I’m warnin’, don’t do somethin’ you’re gonna regret … I’m warnin’ you.”
    “Get out of my way.”
    “No, goddamn it, you aren’t gonna leave this house.”
    He pushed her to one side. Suddenly, Catherine was on the floor where she had slipped and fallen. She let out a scream in pain. Dominic knelt down and picked her up, then put her on the bed, “My God, Catherine, are you alright?”
    All the anger was forgotten in that moment. “No, I think … I think I’m really hurt, Dominic … I think I’m bleedin’.” She cried out, “Oh, Dominic, I don’t want to lose my baby, I couldn’t bear that.”
    “It’s alright, Catherine, I’m going to call Dr. Vincente.” Dominic was shaking as he spoke to the doctor and explained there had been an accident. Dr. Vincente did not question him as to how it had occurred, but said he would be there immediately, then Dominic went back to Catherine. He pulled up a straight-backed chair, sat next to the bed and held her hand. My God, if anything happened to this child, he’d never forgive himself. How could he have been so bereft of all his senses as not to have remembered Catherine was expecting. He bit his lip as Catherine moaned.
    “I’m gonna lose my baby, Dominic,” she wept.
    “No, darling, everything will be alright … it will be alright. Please don’t cry, please darling.”
    “I’ll just die if anythin’ happens.”
    “Nothing’s going to happen. Dr. Vincente is on his way. Please try and stay calm if you can.” God, why the hell wasn’t Dr. Vincente here yet? If anything … but Dominic could not finish the thought as he heard the door bell ringing. Getting up quickly, he ran down the stairs two at a time, then followed the doctor up to where Catherine was. He remained outside pacing the floor back and forth. He turned around when he heard a small voice behind him, “Papa, is Mama sick?” Tory asked.
    “Just a little, Tory, just a little.”
    “You’re crying, Papa.”
    Dominic picked the little boy up and held him close as the tears ran down his cheeks. Then he wiped them with his sleeve and looked at the child. He must have been out of his mind to say he could leave. No wonder Catherine had tried to hold him back. No matter what she had done, it hadn’t given him the right to walk out on her and at a time such as this … what kind of man did a thing like that? … with small children and expecting? She had faults, so did he. If only he could remember Catherine was a spirited woman that wouldn’t be controlled or bent to his will. She simply wasn’t that way and wasn’t that the very trait he had fallen in love with. Of course, she was petulant and spoiled in many ways … and of course, a great many of their problems stemmed from the fact that Catherine refused to yield, thinking that if she did, it would make her subservient.
    What he wanted was for her to be a simple, understanding, loving wife who thought about his life and his welfare and his wants … and if that’s what he wanted, he should never have married Catherine. But goddamn it, wasn’t that the most selfish attitude a man could have. So, Dominic thought, the very thing I’m accusing her of is the thing I’m guilty of … thinking only of my needs. Beating himself mentally he was making all kinds of excuses in Catherine’s