She was running, not knowing where. It was nighttime and foggy; she was beginning to feel cold. She had run out of the house just wearing her white T-shirt and blue jeans and had not even stopped to put shoes on. The road was cold against her bare feet, but she continued to run. Tears ran down her face and besides getting cold, she was getting tired. Suddenly she tripped and she was on the ground, crying out in pain as her arms slid against the pavement. She laid her head down continuing to cry and unable to move when she saw the headlights approaching.
Misty:
Misty sat up eyes wide open; tears streaked her face and her pulse was racing from the nightmare. It took her several minutes to calm down before she lay back down, hugging her pillow tightly, but her eyes remained open. She still had several more hours before morning where she could get up and be alone. It was almost morning by the time she had given way to sleep but when she heard the door shut, she was again awake. She let out a deep sigh and then got out of bed and after showering; she quickly threw on a pair of jeans and sweater and went to make coffee. Robert, her boss, was coming over to pick up the bookkeeping she had gotten finished for several clients. She worked at home as that was the only way her husband, Larry, had agreed to let her work at all. He preferred she wasn't out in the work force at all, but since it had only meant dealing with Robert, he had agreed to let her take the job.
Misty had recently turned thirty and had been married for over ten years to Larry. She was an attractive brunette with green eyes, average height, nice figure with large breasts that drew men's attention immediately. Larry was several years older than her and was an average, attractive looking man who worked hard and many hours. Misty had found out in the beginning of their marriage that he was also somewhat controlling, and tended to have a bad temper if things weren't just so. He was extremely old fashioned as to what a wife's duties were and how she should behave. Since Misty was young when they married and inexperienced with men, she never questioned him and did her best just to please him.
Misty had just poured two cups of coffee when she heard the doorbell ring. She looked at the clock and it was 10:00. Robert was always punctual, she thought to herself. She went to the door and let him in. She was always amazed at how he seemed to always be smiling and happy. She had found working for him a pleasure and generally being shy around most people especially men, she found that after no time at all she felt completely comfortable around him.
"I made coffee, unless you're in a hurry." She said walking to the kitchen without waiting for his reply.
Robert:
Robert was 41. He stood 6'2" with wavy black hair and his eyes were dark brown, but some people told him they were almost black. He worked out at the gym quite often, especially now that he was getting older it seemed more important to keep in shape. He hated to admit it even to himself that he did this more since his divorce five years ago, wanting to look younger. He had taken a beating when his wife had walked out on him after 10 years of marriage and worse yet, with a younger man. He knew he should have seen the signs, but unfortunately he had not. He also had not had a serious relationship since, preferring casual dating.
"You know I always have time to spend with you." He said, realizing how his statement came out, he quickly continued." Thanks for getting this done early. I hope that didn't cause any problems, having to work late while Larry was home. "
"No problem. I know how some clients can get. Larry wasn't mad."
"I'm glad to here that." He said. Having Misty work for him was one of the things he enjoyed. He had never once came on to her, she was after all married, although lately he couldn't get her out of his thoughts. He was finding it more difficult not to flirt with her, and had to keep reminding himself she was in fact married. They sat going over the bookkeeping she had done and chatted as they drank their coffee. Misty got up and poured them more coffee, and he noticed the darkness on her wrist.
"Another accident? " He asked softly, trying to catch the expression in her eyes. Misty didn't look at him and he took her arm pushing the sleeve up to her elbow, where the bruise finally stopped." What happened this time? Did Larry do ---? " He asked, careful not to show how angry this made him. He already knew from previous accidents that this was a subject she didn't like discussing. .
Misty:
"Noooo! It's so stupid, I'm too embarrassed to even say." She said nervously, not wanting to look at him." I did it. I slipped when I got out of the shower. I hit it on the counter. It hurt like hell too. Larry would never hurt me. I told you that before. I told you I was clumsy! " She spoke quickly, trying hard to shrug it off. It was true; Larry had never hurt like that. He might have pushed her, pulled her, yanked an arm or poked her hard in the shoulders, but never something like that. However, she didn't want Robert to know that Larry and her were fighting again and with Larry's continuous verbal attack, she had raised her arm up to hit him to make him back away and stop. Then he moved and her arm had hit the counter extremely hard. Most of the bruises she called accidents were actually that, her running away from Larry or striking out at him to make him stop. She found it all embarrassing and didn't want Robert, let alone anyone else to know this.
Robert:
"Well, I need to go. Call me when you get the rest of the work done and I will pick it up." He said frustrated that she still didn't trust him. He could tell something was wrong and not just with her accidents. Too many times he had caught the empty or sad look in her eyes when she didn't know he was watching her. He had always been curious about people and what they were about. After almost a year, he still hadn't figured her out. He was however, drawn to her more and more. On his way out he couldn't help but try and reach out to her with his words." You know Misty, if you ever need to talk to someone, I'd be more than happy to listen. I just don't like seeing you get hurt and it seems it's been happening a lot lately. "
