With her heart beating loudly in her ears, all other sounds seem like a muted echo resounding from some far off distance. Gazing out the window, looking, but not really seeing, she focuses on the small insect pillowed against the glass. Hearing the creaking of the taps as her husband finishes his shower, Kim glances over at the clock; the second hand seeming to move in an endless slow motion. 'I have to stay calm,' she tells herself as she closes her eyes. Taking deep, soothing breaths, a bead of sweat slowly makes its way down her temple.
Trying to distract herself from her thoughts she fills the kettle, her hand shaking uncontrollably as she reaches for the tap. Kim grips the edge of the bench tight. Feeling the queasy stirrings in her stomach, she swallows hard, fighting back the urge to be sick. She can't be sick, not today. Oh God, if she vomits now he's sure to get suspicious. Kim is never sick, not unless she's nervous; or pregnant. At least she knows she's not pregnant. Having shied away from Richard's drunken advances for so long, she hasn't felt the sensuous caresses of a man's touch in years. 'Hurry up and leave,' she silently prays, closing her eyes as she cups her hands to her face.
Kim shivers involuntarily as she thinks of what Richard would do if he knew what she had planned. He hadn't noticed the clothes missing, slowly disappearing from the wardrobe, or the money mysteriously vanishing from their bank account. She'd taken precautions so she couldn't be traced. The unit was leased in her sister's name, as was the phone, which she had insisted on having a silent number. She'd had weeks to plan this. Today was the moment of truth.
"I'll see you later," Richard calls out as he closes the door behind him.
"Oh no you won't!" Kim whispers under her breath, listening intently for the sound of his car pulling out of their driveway. She lets out a relieved sigh hearing him driving down toward the end of the street. Knowing what she has to do, and knowing she has to move fast, she picks up the phone and dials.
"Hi, it's me. He's gone."
'Okay. Dad's on his way here, we'll be there soon.'
"Thanks." Kim says, grateful as she hangs up the phone.
Knowing she only has a few hours before Richard gets back, she grabs the roll of garbage bags from the cupboard and moves quickly to the bedroom. Opening the wardrobe door, she begins to pull clothes down, hangers and all she shoves them into the bags. Pulling drawers from the dressers, she piles them on the bed ready to be moved. Packing what she can, putting the rest loosely on the mattress, moving with a determination knowing she doesn't have much time.
'There's no turning back now,' Kim thinks to herself hearing the sound of the truck pulling up out front. Opening the door, she smiles gratefully at her father and sister.
"Hi, guys."
Kissing her lightly on the cheek, Robyn gives Kim a reassuring hug. Pulling away slightly, holding her at arms length, a concerned look crosses Robyn's face.
"Are you okay? You're looking a bit pale."
"I'm fine," Kim lies, a tight knot forming in her stomach. "I was just worried, I thought he'd never leave."
"Well he's gone now;" Robyn says sympathetically. Seeing the pile of bags and stacked boxes, she turns to Kim. "How long till he gets home?"
"We have about four hours. No doubt he'll hit the pub after the game."
"Oh shit, not much time; we'd better get started. I'll help Dad move some of the furniture into the truck, Kim. I'll give you a hand packing when we've done that." Robyn says, taking control. Turning her attention to their father, Robyn moves to help him lift a corner of the lounge.
Despite the fifteen years difference in their ages, Robyn had always been Kim's favorite sister. She'd always been the first to offer solace or a helping hand when needed. Coming from a large family it's easy to form alliances, but to Kim, she didn't need an alliance when Robyn was around. The two of them had always been close. Closer lately as Robyn had become Kim's confidante, a savior in her time of need. It had been Robyn that had given Kim the courage to finally leave.
The next two hours pass in a blur of activity as they busy themselves loading the truck. The endless trips lugging boxes in and out leaving them all feeling lethargic. Wiping his brow, Kim's father turns to her,
"Is that all of it?"
"Yep. That's the lot," Kim says, "Thanks for all your help Dad." Even though still fit for his young seventy-three years, she can't help but notice how tired he's looking. The dark circles under his eyes and the white of his hair contrasting against his tanned complexion, making him appear years older.
"You're worth it." He smiles, touching her arm lightly. "Well, we'd better get this lot unloaded," he says as he heads for the truck. As he climbs into the cabin he turns back to Kim. "See you there, Ratbag." He hadn't called her that since she was a kid.
"Okay, Grumpy," Kim laughs. "I'll meet you there in a few minutes. I'm just going to lock up."
Recollecting the many relentless drunken beatings Richard had unleashed upon her, Kim finds a new energy as she packs the remainder of the bags into her car. 'Yes,' she thinks as she gazes at what was once her dream home, 'There's no turning back.' As she drives down the street she glances into the rear view mirror, watching as her house disappears into the distance.
Robyn and her father are already unloading the truck as she pulls up at the apartment. Through the open door of her new home, she can see the already huge pile of boxes accumulating. Taking a deep breath, Kim grabs a box and carries it inside. A rush of excitement charges through her, as the realization of finally being free from the years of torment suddenly sinks in. Looking around she sighs contently. A new home, a new beginning.
"Where do you want this?" Robyn asks, interrupting Kim's train of thought. Looking to see the hand carved figurine in Robyn's hand, Kim laughs.
"Here, I'll take him." Kim says, taking the statue from Robyn. "Thanks for all your help today. I don't know what I would have done without you and Dad helping,"
"Anytime. We're just glad you finally came to your senses and left the bastard." Robyn says, rubbing Kim's arm affectionately.
Smiling gratefully, Kim averts her attention to the figurine in her hands. It was a momento she'd once picked up whilst on holiday in Bali. Skimming her finger lightly over the statue, she smiles softly remembering all the fun she'd had that year. It was their escape, just her and 'the girls'. Every year since they were teenagers they'd all skimp and save for their annual trip abroad. That had all stopped the year she'd met Richard; these days she hardly ever saw her friends, Richard had made sure of that. With a heavy sigh she places the statue down on a box.
With the truck now empty, Kim's father walks over to her and takes her in his arms. Kissing her hair softly he hands her an envelope.
"This is from your mother and I," he says. With tears welling in her eyes, she hugs her father tight.
"Thanks Dad." Kim smiles. Watching as he climbs into the truck beside Robyn, she tucks her hands into her pockets.
'Well, it's just you now kiddo,' she says to herself as she watches until the truck disappears out of sight. Turning on her heel, she goes back inside. Overcome by the daunting sight before her, Kim sets to work. Finding her stereo, she plugs it in and turns the volume up high. Shania Twain's 'Black Eyes, Blue Tears' belts out through the speakers. 'How appropriate,' Kim laughs as she tears open the first box, beginning the thankless task of unpacking.
It's nightfall before she remembers that she hasn't eaten all day. Grabbing an apple from the fruit bowl she takes a bite; resting it on the bench, she tears the tape from the box of glassware in front of her. It had been a long day, the exhaustion seeping through her, dulling her senses as she slides the last glass into the cabinet. Raising her hands high above her head she stretches, exhaling as she releases some of the day's tensions. 'At least the kitchen's done.' she thinks to herself. Yawning, she makes her way wearily to the bedroom. Moving a few scattered boxes from her mattress she pulls the covers over herself and lays down, feeling herself relax as her head sinks gradually, deeper into the pillow.
James, Kim's neighbor, knocks on her door the next afternoon. She'd met him on several occasions during her numerous visits to the apartment, secretly dropping off bags of her clothing and a few groceries. He seems nice, she'd thought that first time he introduced himself. He'd been sitting on his balcony, radio tuned to a baseball game, she'd smiled and waved as she unloaded a few bags from her car. She was naturally surprised when he'd come over, offering to take the bags inside for her. Since that first meeting they had become well acquainted. The conversations normally not lasting more than ten minutes, yet enough for them to form the basis of a promising friendship. She hadn't noticed how tall he was; opening the door to him now, his six foot frame towers above her.
"Oh, hi James," Kim smiles up at him.
"Hi. I hadn't realized you'd already moved in until I saw your car. I was just wondering if you need help moving anything."
"Thanks for the offer, but I only have a few boxes left to unpack," she smiles gratefully.
"Well, if you need anything, you know where to find me," he laughs. Turning to leave, he suddenly stops. "Do you have any plans for tonight? I mean, if you're not still busy with the unpacking... " Blushing at his own awkwardness, he shoves his hands in his pockets.
"I should have it done by then. Thanks, James, I honestly wasn't looking forward to spending the night alone."
"We don't have to do much. How does pizza and a couple of videos sound?"
"Perfect." Kim smiles gratefully. "I'll bring the popcorn," she teases.
"See you then," James laughs, as he heads back to his apartment. Noting the time as she glances at the clock, Kim unbuttons her blouse as she heads for the shower.
Dressing for her evening with James was easy for Kim. Although it had been a wet day, the drizzle seeming endless throughout the afternoon, it was still humid. In her jeans and long sleeved t -shirt, she grabs her jacket just in case, not sure how late of an evening she was in for. Pizza and videos was just what she needed to take her mind off the grueling past thirty-six hours.
"Hi, Kim." he beams. "Come in."
