I spent the afternoon doing something I rarely did anymore – reading. Jackie’s parents had a huge bookcase full of books. They seemed to read every genre, from romance to mystery, and I found many titles I’d heard of but hadn’t read. I chose a Harlequin romance, one I knew would have a happily-ever-after ending, which I really needed right now.
I sat on one of the porch rockers to read. It was the typical boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy and girl reunite. Even though I knew what was going to happen, I still enjoyed reading how it happened.
I wondered if my life story would make a good book. It certainly didn’t have a happy ending, and I wasn’t sure people would read it. They probably wouldn’t understand how a successful woman like me could fall for a guy like Eric. Looking back, I barely understood it myself.
I shook my head trying to clear the cobwebs from my mind. I saw a flash of lightning, and I scrambled inside and closed the windows.
Jackie had shown me where her parents kept the candles and I sat several on the kitchen table along with the lighter in case I needed them.
Izzy followed me to the recliner and jumped up next to me. One storm and three hours later, I’d finished the book.
I scratched Izzy’s back. ‘Why do I always pick the wrong guy, Iz? What’s wrong with me?’
I found a notepad and made a list of things I needed to do.
Make appointment with attorney
Copy documents (ie. Financial statements)
Find place to live
I realized I hadn’t changed my will. If something happened to me, everything would go to Jackie. I also realized how dumb I’d been to add Eric to my bank account (he added me to his) and put the charge cards in both names. At the time, it all seemed so natural, a part of us becoming one. I thought it was another way to show our love and commitment to one another. And, of course, it made Eric happy.
I wasn’t worried about being able to make it on my own. I knew I’d survive. My biggest worry was how Eric would react. I’d seen the dark devil that dwelled inside of him, and I feared what it could do. I was prepared to get a restraining order. I added that to the list.
Get restraining order
I figured that Eric wouldn’t cooperate in the discovery process. It wouldn’t surprise me if he’d hid or diverted assets. He always had to be in control, and I’d seen how aggressive he could be when things didn’t go his way.
My stomach rumbled and I made a sandwich. I figured Jackie would be calling soon, so I jumped in the shower and put on a pair of sweatpants and an old T-shirt. I was tired and planned to go to bed early.
I was choosing a new book to read when my cell phone rang.
‘Everything going okay?’
‘Yeah, but being here alone kind of spooks me. Kind of makes me wish I’d taken that pistol shooting class with you.’
‘Do you want me to drive back up? I can leave now.’
‘No, no, no. I’ll be okay. I locked the doors and made sure all the windows were latched. Izzy will sleep with me. How’d your meeting go?’
‘Good. I really like the new principal. She seems to have her crap together, unlike her predecessor.’
‘Great. Still no call from Eric?’
‘Nada. I was almost tempted to drive to your house and give him a piece of my mind.’
‘No! Don’t do that!’
‘I won’t, but I’d like to.’
‘Did you tell Bruce?’
‘Yes, and he was shocked. He said that other than Eric being a bit over the top when it came to PDAs, he never would’ve guessed the guy was bat-shit crazy. Anyway, what did you do after I left?’
‘Read a book. Your parents have enough books to keep me busy for a month!’
Jackie laughed. ‘They’re definitely readers. Mom asked what was going on, by the way.’
‘What did you tell her?’
‘I really didn’t want to go into it over the phone so I just said that you and Eric were having problems and you needed to get away for a while.’
‘Good answer.’
Jackie and I talked some more and then I went to bed, taking the book with me. I read for a while then turned off the light. I had trouble falling asleep, even though I was tired. I couldn’t turn my brain off. Like a roulette ball, my mind bounced from one worry to the next.
I don’t remember falling asleep, but it was three in the morning when I shot up in bed. I thought I heard a noise.
I grabbed the flashlight under my pillow and turned it on, flashing it around the room. I didn’t see anything. Maybe I should check the rest of the cabin, just to make sure I was alone.
I focused on breathing. I didn’t want it to spiral out of control like it did when I had the flat tire. That incident had really scared me, and I never wanted to feel like that again.
I crept through the cabin, checking each room. There was one more place to check – the bathroom. I heard a scratch and it startled me and I dropped the flashlight. I bent down to pick it up and felt a breeze on my back. I turned around. No one was there. I opened the bathroom door and Izzy flew between my legs. She must have somehow got locked in the bathroom.
I returned to bed but didn’t sleep peacefully the rest of the night. No sooner would I drift asleep, I’d wake up again. I tossed and turned, unable to get comfortable. I hated sleepless nights. When the morning sun shined through the bedroom window, I was glad the darkness was gone.