Pamela Bradley had lost confidence in herself. Not that it was her fault. She had forgotten what made her who she was and had allowed a lousy marriage to adversely affect her opinion of herself.
Her husband Jack had married her right out of high school. She was a "trophy wife" to him. Pamela knew that now. She was smart and had already planned out her college and career paths. Jack just planned to ride her coat-tails.
He had in fact, over six years of college and ten years of her career as a high school teacher at the prestigious Werthing Academy, not held a full time job.
Jack allegedly worked as a "handy man", or as his business card read "THE Jack of all trades."
Pamela had noticed that, though he seemed to work regularly oftentimes nights and week-ends, he had very little money to add to the family income.
Pamela let it go. She was well respected at her job and it paid well. She had been smart enough to keep a separate bank account to ensure that all of her savings didn't just disappear to god knows where.
Pamela had always been a large woman but she was never insecure about it. She had been fortunate to have been blessed with good genes that graced her with smooth, blemish free skin. Despite her weight she was also graced with a proportionate, curvy body. She was never displeased by what she saw in the mirror.
Now at age 35 she wasn't as secure.
Her husband had never treated her well but over the past three years had become downright mean.
Every chance he had he would insult her about how she looked, how she dressed, or how ignorant she was about things in general.
Sex, which had been granted sparingly at best and usually when he was drunk, had completely dried up.
Now Pamela wasn't sure she liked what she saw in the mirror. Maybe Jack was right and she wasn't a trophy for anyone.
Six months ago she had come home from school early due to a power outage that had closed the school.
When she arrived home she expected to find Jack passed out on the sofa with three or four empty beer cans strewn on the coffee table or on the rug next to the couch. Instead the house was quiet.
Pamela planned to go to the local Wegman's and get groceries rather than waiting for the weekend. She wanted Jack to know where she was going.
She looked out back and noticed that the tool shed door was slightly opened. She figured Jack might be in the shed.
"Hopefully working on a paying project." She thought ruefully.
She proceeded outside and approached the shed door.
Pamela heard his voice loud and clear from outside the shed and there was no doubt in her mind as to what was happening.
