Small southern towns either keep secrets too well, or let loose with that which is no one's business without restraint. On a trip to the grocery store, Chris back at the house showering, three people stopped me to ask about my new beau. These were all people associated with the ex, Mike, so I made sure to tell them that I was very happy with the new boyfriend. In fact, happier than I had ever been.
The last days that Chris was there, we spent mostly in bed, in some state of undress or another, either cuddling or making love. It was heaven.
I wasn't ready to see him go. We were very quiet on the way to the airport, other than briefly telling one another that it sucked that today had arrived so quickly. Our good bye was quick on purpose, and I drove away, watching him in the rear view as he waited in line to check his bags until he was out of sight. Somehow, I managed to keep from crying. I would save those tears for later.
I almost did not return to the house. I dreaded it, but knew that I could not just stay away for the day. It would be unhealthy for me to do so. I needed to get used to being alone again for the time being. Besides, there was nowhere I wanted to be at the moment, even at home, but home was the best place to be when nowhere else seemed good enough.
As I pulled up to the house, I was surprised, unpleasantly, at the sight of the blue pick up truck that waited there. Mike, the ex, leaned against the tailgate, his arms crossed over his chest, eyes dark blue with fury.
I stepped out of the car. "What are you doing here?"
"Just wanted to hear it from you," he shot back. "Who's the new boyfriend?"
"I did not know that I was supposed to answer to you," I replied, slamming my car door shut. Something in his eyes was unsettling.
"I have tried for a long time to win you back. We are meant to be together, and this is what you do?" He took several steps toward me, and I stepped back. Mike, like most people, towered over me, and his sudden advance only increased my unease.
"We aren't meant for anything together. I would appreciate it if you left right now, or I will call the police." I reached into my purse, as if to get the cell phone, though it lay, turned off, inside the house.
With one leap, he had tackled me. I hit the ground with a force that knocked the wind out of me, and before I knew it, he had a hand on my throat, squeezing.
I struggled, using a free hand to pull his head back by the hair, though it did little for me. Fear would have overwhelmed me if anger had not gotten there first, but the anger did little to help against someone so much bigger and stronger. And out here, no one would hear me scream.
I felt lightheaded, his intent eyes a blur to me as my vision swam. My struggles were weakened by the lack of air, and I fought only to breathe after a few moments. Then, it all went black.
When I came to, I was still on the ground. The first thing I saw was a yellow taxi, parked only a few feet away. Coughing and sputtering, I blinked and looked up, for there were voices coming from somewhere above, and I was shocked to see that Chris was there, punching Mike while the cab driver held him.
I passed out again.
Mike was unconscious by the time the cabbie called the police, muttering in his Cajun accent that Mike was not a man. Chris, his lip bloodied, was at my side when I came to again. "I decided that I'm moving here, and wanted to come back and tell you," he was saying, eyes filling with tears. "I'm so glad I did. Jesus. Are you okay, sweetie?"
"Am now," I choked out.
It was not until hours later, when the police reports were filled, and when the cabbie was invited out for drinks in a few days in thanks, that anything sank in. Chris and I were in the living room, cuddled quietly on the love seat, when I asked him, "What made you change your mind when you did?"
"Watching you drive away," he said quietly. "I changed the flight so that I could go back next week, and figured I would discuss moving down here with you now. I can't make you give up a career. I can transfer schools. Aside from that, Mom told me I needed to be with you here. That meant a lot to me."
