Chapter 20: Looking Back

"You bitch," I snarled as I entered the room, my eyes raging with fire.

"YOU PLANNED THIS!" I yelled as I approached her. She was sliding into a skirt and a blouse without even looking my way. When she did, she looked calm and cool.

"You wanted it. You didn't protest," she said haughtily and I clenched my fists so hard I felt my nails sinking into the palm of my hand.

"I thought you were Annie. You know that's what I thought," I growled. She shrugged at me.

"I don't know anything," she innocently said.

"Anyway, I did you a favor. I mean, get real, Bart. Do you honestly think she would ever want to be with you forever? Did you see her face when your deepest, darkest secrets came out. I thought she was going to faint," Melodie said almost triumphantly. I growled and before I knew what came over me, my fist knocked her jaw backwards. She screamed and held her jaw, looking at me with horror.

"You hit me," she said softly.

"Damn right," I growled, moving closer to her, almost like a slithering snake.

"You deserved that. You've screwed everything up!" I spat and she glared at me.

"NO! It was REVENGE, Bart! It's your fault that I'm not with Jory anymore! Your fault he is crippled! All because he had to perform at your stupid birthday party!" she cried and I slapped her so hard her head reeled back.

"Get out," I growled.

"Get your things and get the hell out! It's not my fault Jory got hurt! I never hurt him! And you walked out on your marriage yourself! Despite what you had done, he still wanted you! But you took the coward's way out. Don't blame me for your failure of a marriage! You wanted me as much as I wanted you and you NEVER protested, not even in the beginning! So just get the hell out, OUT, OUT, OUT!" I shouted, raising my hand again.

She screamed, clearly afraid I would hit her again. I felt disgusted for hitting her but I felt she deserved it. Maybe its best this happened, a voice that sounded oddly like Uncle Joel whispered within me. What if you would have hit Annie one day? I shook my head. No … no … I would never hit Annie! I looked up and realized Melodie was gone. I sat down on the bed as the anger left my body and was replaced with sadness. I hurried downstairs and saw that a yellow taxicab was heading down the road.

I heard footsteps and turned to see Melodie … wait. If Melodie was here … then …. I ran outside and started down the driveway, running as fast as I could.

"Annie! Please, don't go! It was all a mistake! It was set up!" I cried. My legs were starting to feel tired as we reached the end of the driveway and the car stopped at the stop sign. I took the opportunity to yank the door open.

"Annie!" I cried but stopped when she looked at me. She was huddled on the opposite side, nearly curled into a ball. Her ebony hair wasn't even brushed and some strands wildly stuck to her still wet cheeks. What hurt me worst of all was the way she looked at me. Her eyes were so full of tears that they looked nearly glazed over. I stood there, not sure how to get her to forgive me.

"I love you, Annie … I always will," I softly whispered as I shut the door. I watched the taxi start onto the main highway and felt my heart sink when Annie didn't even look back. She didn't even look back.