I groaned in agony as I tried to concentrate on what I was reading, but I couldn't even get through a line; the noises from the kitchen was an unwelcome distraction. Mum and dad were fighting again; in fact, they'd gotten physical, because I could hear the sounds of kicks and slaps. I shook my head and reluctantly stood up to go intervene.
"Dad! Mum!! Can you both stop please?" I said so weakly, leaning against the kitchen door with my arms folded, across my chest. They ignored me.
"Laura can you believe I caught your dad in the Stables with Faith Harrison" My mum said in disgust and I cringed in disbelief. Faith Harrison was the lead singer in our Church's choir.
"Dad??!! Is that true? Oh jeez dad!! When would you stop being a douchebag and keep your stuff in your pants"
As soon as the words came out, I regretted them instantly. Everything happened so quickly.
Dad moved close to me and slapped me. Mum slapped him in return and he pushed her down to he ground and she fell so hard, hitting her head on a glass cup and bottles of vodka dad carelessly left. I knew it would be a miracle if she survived it and I also knew I'd hate myself forever if I didn't take vengeance. I looked around and a kitchen knife was on the counter. I knew if the authorities found my prints on the knife, I'd be arrested. Mum's gloves lay on the plate rack and I put it on. Dear old dad was clueless as to what I had planned in mind. I looked at mum's lifeless body on the ground and that was all the willpower I needed. I grabbed the knife swiftly and drove it deep through his chest. He looked at the knife in horror, breathlessly and then up at me.
"I'm sorry dad" I said, as I dragged the knife out of him, and he fell to the ground. I wrapped his hand around the knife and walked out of the house.
************************************
"16 Mason!! I was 16 when I murdered both my parents" I retold the story to my best friend, who was also a therapist.
"Well, Lora all I can say is that you've been smart from birth and that's why you did what you did and the authorities couldn't arrest you. It was for a just cause. You did what any other teenager would have done. Who do you think Alex is going to choose if she was asked to make a choice between you and that douchebag?" Mason asked, eating the cover of his pen. I smiled at the way he described my husband.
"Me of course" I defended.
He laughed. "I thought as much. So tell me, how's work going so far? How many criminals have you arrested?"
"14" I replied.
"What??!!" He choked.
"I said 14 so far. I'm not even supposed to be telling you about my work with the FBI because you're not..." I was interrupted by the ringing of my phone. It was my husband.
"Hi Jared" I greeted so formally, even Mason scoffed when he realized who I was talking to. I put the phone on loud speaker.
"Hey Lora. What's up? Are you free now? I wanted to take you out for lunch"
I smiled and looked at Mason. The first time Jared took me out on a 'Supposed' lunch date, he announced to me that he saw me kissing Mason and he took revenge by sleeping with my colleague. I remembered how I laughed heartily that day while trying to explain to him that I gave Mason a friendly kiss that day on the cheeks, and in the presence of his wife.
The second time he took me out, he told me he got someone pregnant and he needs money to give her to commit an abortion.... Oh the shit I've tolerated in this marriage!!!! I endured during that time because that was when I also found out I was pregnant with my baby girl. I gave him the money though and for the sake of my children, continued living with him.
Today's going to make it the third time in our 19 years together that he'll take me out for lunch and I had a feeling it's going to be the last.
"Tell him you're not free, because it's all bad news with him" Mason whispered.
"I'm free" I told Jared over the phone.
"Alright. I'll pick you up in 10 minutes" He said and ended the call immediately.
"Be careful, Lora" Mason said and hugged me. I nodded and left his office.
"I actually have a big announcement to make" Jared started.
"Of course you do. It isn't everyday that my husband gets to take me out for lunch. Spill!!"
"I've been transferred permanently to Arizona and..."
"And what?!"
"...I want a divorce" He concluded.
I put down my fork and sat up.
"You want a divorce?!" I repeated just to be sure. 80% of women would start throwing tantrums and become hysterical but I couldn't explain the joy I felt at hearing that from my husband. It's all I've ever wanted; I just didn't want to take the bulls by the horns myself.
"Yes" He replied and looked down in shame.
"Alright" I replied, trying to hide the relief in my voice.
"Alright?!!" He asked.
"Of course. Were you expecting me to ask you 'Why'? Of course not Jared. The only thing I'd ask is, What about our children?"
"Well" He scratched his head. "I don't want them, but if you insist, we could arrange for a shared custody or probably settle for visitation rights" I flinched at the callousness of this man sitted before me.
If it wasn't that we were in a public place, I'd have smacked him so hard on his head for thinking so lowly of our children.
Andrew and Alex were 16, while Amanda was just 6. I wondered how exactly they'd take the news. Obviously the twins were smart like me and would understand, but Amanda was still a child and wouldn't really understand why her 'daddy' and 'mummy' can no longer live together.
"It's fine. I'm keeping my kids"
Before I could say more, my phone pinged. I needed to get back to work.
"We aren't done with our conversation. Something came up at work so I'll leave now. But we need to finalize on this. Would you rather get the divorce papers or should I ask my lawyers to send it across to you?" I asked him, standing up already.
He couldn't say anything. He just stared up at me, in shock. Clearly he wasn't expecting that.
"Alright. My lawyers would get them sent over to you before weekend. Good bye Jared" I said to him and left immediately.
It wasn't until I was out of the parking lot that the tears began to flow. Jared was the first true man that showed me love after my parents died. I met him during my training at the FBI academy in Quantico. He was a year ahead of me; he didn't make it through though. He dropped out.
After I graduated, we became very close and then we got married three years later. He gave me comfort, security and best of all a family. He had three brothers and two sisters and by being married to him, I became a member of such large family, something I lacked during my childhood.
Of course I'd miss him, but I've missed my life. I've missed my freedom. And I know I was going to be okay; my kids and I. We'd do perfectly alright.