There was nothing but pain.
“Take it,” he grunted with his effort as he slammed into her.
She had no choice. He walked in from work fevered with some vengeance, like he’d had the most awful day. She had little to regret except that she should have been more sensitive. But she was feeling bitter herself. Forgetting her place. Frustrated with her own hassles at work. He’d slammed the door, tossed his coat, nearly threw his brief case into the wall. But despite it all he was glad he was back at his own calm home where there was order and things went as planned. He had the love of his wonderful wife who fit him perfectly. He was glad his workday was over and he could vent his frustrations about corporate tyrants and deals fallen through. She would understand, she would listen, they’d have a nice meal, a quiet evening and things would be all right.
Except that’s not what happened. When she’d heard his tossing about and the ruckus he made coming in the front door it was the last thing she wanted to deal with. His bad mood? Another one this week? He normally was so easy going and collected. But something at work was wrong. Her own work was enough of a hassle. She’d had a horrible day at court and felt like she’d have this headache forever. She’d only been home forty minutes and was just beginning to feel her day’s trouble slip away. But now he was home and angry and she had to deal with that too. Wonderful. So she walked out into the foyer where she usually greeted him with a hug and maybe a drink. But today she crossed her arms across her chest and frowned at him. “Now what?” she said.
That’s all it took to make him snap. He could not believe even she was turning on him. He wouldn’t have it. A muscle worked in his jaw - the last of his control - and he pounced. In a moment he had her pinned to the wall and a hand around her throat. “The last thing I need today,” he spat at her “is lip from you!” He applied pressure on her windpipe making her gasp. She brought both of her tiny hands up to his at her throat and clawed at him in a panic. He let up a bit. “Do you think I’d kill you? You know I love you too damned much. But I have had enough of everything turning wrong. And lately, girl, even you are not up to par. Deny it?”
“No, Sir.” She agreed. He was absolutely right. He had every right to be angry. She’d slacked and lost respect all week. And he’d let her by graciously. Probably too tired with his career to assert his control over her. Hoping she’d snap out of her own mood. But it wasn’t happening. She broke the last straw. Nothing now but to atone. “I’m so sorry, Sir.”