Clash Read Free

had to leave and go for a walk. I knew I would never sit on that couch again.
    The night was chilly, and with only a light jacket my teeth soon began to chatter. After about fifteen minutes I decided to crawl back inside my car and wait it out. I had dozed off when I heard a vehicle start, and I watched the brunette back out of the driveway. Looked like the nasties were done getting freaky.
    Grabbing my bag once again I walked toward the front door, my stomach tense and my hands trembling. I paused, wondering what I should do. Would it be okay for me to go in now? Deciding to knock, I waited to hear John’s angry groan or footsteps. But after no answer I cautiously opened the door.
    The living room was empty and dark. After making sure that I was, in fact, alone, I walked down the hall. As I neared the bathroom I could hear the shower running. I snuck quietly past the door and straight into my room, quickly putting on my pajamas without even turning on the light.
    Sliding into bed quickly, I curled in the light blanket seeking warmth. I tried to remain focused, listening for any movement or signs he was coming in my direction. I was tense and my body hummed in fear. After about an hour or so I hadn’t heard anything, so I allowed myself to slowly relax. My eyes grew heavy and my limbs grew weak as I slowly drifted off to sleep.
    I was startled awake and my eyes shot open as I peered up at a dark figure hovering over me. I quickly glanced over to the clock on my dresser—it was only 4:38 a.m. What was he doing here in my room? I knew it was premature of me to think John would let my earlier interruption be forgotten so easily.
    He was silent as he stood over me. Time seemed to stand still. Then from out of nowhere, with the back of his hand he struck me hard across my right cheek. I knew better than to cry out; that only made things worse. He took my cries as a reason to repeat his actions.
    I couldn’t see the expression on his face, but by his tone I knew he felt no remorse. “Don’t you ever enter my house again when I have company. This is my house, and you’re a fucking guest here. Learn your place.” He sounded so hateful.
    And just like that, he turned and walked out of my room. He looked at me as if he felt nothing, had no cares and no worries.
    Tears slowly began falling down my face as I held back my sobs. My cheek throbbed, and my chest vibrated as I fought against my emotions. I turned into my pillow to hide the possibility of letting any noise escape. I knew he would be leaving for work soon. He had to be there at six, and his commute was forty-five minutes one way, so he had very little time left.
    I focused on the door, praying he would not come back, begging God to give me just this one time.
    Once I heard the truck come to life, I knew I was safe. The rev of the engine followed by the squeal of tires told me John was gone.
    As I walked toward the bathroom my entire body ached. Lying in bed with my body fully tensed left my muscles sore. I leaned forward and turned on the water, holding my hand beneath the stream, waiting for it to warm. When I turned to get a towel from the cabinet, I caught a glimpse of my reflection in the mirror. The red mark across my cheek had already began to bruise. I felt nauseated as I stepped back so I could no longer see myself.
    Stepping into the shower, I stood below the hot water and the reality of the entire morning hit me. I slid down the shower wall and began sobbing uncontrollably, heaving to catch my breath. I knew I needed to pull myself together.
    I found the strength to stand and wash my hair before stepping out and drying off. My gaze shifted upward; through the fog that now covered the mirror, my bruised face once again came into view.
    I was going to need some help hiding this. I knew the small container of concealer I had hidden beneath my bed would in no way cover this. I was going to have to go to the one person who had more makeup than half the girls in