Somewhere in Between

By: Broken Shadow Dragon

Chapter 4:

Helga walked into the dark apartment and flipped on the light switch. She jumped when she saw Frankie sitting in the arm chair. "Where have you been?"
Helga remained still. She glanced at a nearby clock. He wasn't supposed to be home until 10:00. It was only 8:45. "Y-you're h-home early-y." she stammered.

"I asked where you were."

"I just went for a walk."

He stood and walked toward her, "Who gave you permission to leave?" he said towering over her.

"No one but…" she lowered her eyes, allowing him to take control of her as always.

"But what?"

"I just thought…"

"That's your problem, Helga. You think entirely too much. You belong to me. You do not move, think, or breathe unless you have my permission. Am I clear?" He said raising his hand.

She nodded and he smacked her hard, "I can't hear you!" he yelled

"Yes!" she cried only to be smacked again.

"Yes what?"

"Yes sir."

Frankie sighed in disgust and pushed her away, "Get out of my face." He returned to his seat and began watching TV. She walked into the bathroom and looked in the mirror. Blood was oozing from the cut on her cheek. She touched it gently, the blood was already starting to harden and form a scab. She hated her image more than anything in the world. She banged her fists against the glass. She hated the person staring at her. That person in the mirror had no control over her life. Everything she did was for Frankie. She sat on the floor and leaned against the wall. Before she knew it she had fallen asleep. After about 30 minutes she woke to find Frankie standing over her. A blanket was draped over his arm. "Ah you're awake, sleeping beauty." He said smiling. He wrapped the blanket around her and lifted her in his arms. "What time is it?" she asked yawning.

"It's about 10. Maybe 9:45."

"Oh crap. I've got a test tomorrow. I haven't studied at all."

"Wait babe. I was thinking you could just lay out tomorrow."

"But…"

"No Buts. You deserve a day off. Now come on let's have some dinner. I'll cook." He carried her into the kitchen.

The next morning Helga woke to the smell of bacon and eggs. She glanced at the clock on her nightstand. It read 10:30. "Oh no! I'm late." She shouted jumping from bed.

Frankie walked back into their bedroom, "Whoa, Helga hold on. We agreed that you would stay home today."

"Oh…All right. One more tardy and I would have detention." She sat back on her pillow and rubbed her eyes. "I smell breakfast." She laughed.

"Yep, Just for you. Plus I have your anniversary present." He kissed her forehead and led her to the kitchen.

She sat at her place at the table. On her plate rested a small box. "Frankie, is this a ring?' she asked lifting it up.

"Open it and find out."

She opened the lid and sure enough inside was a diamond engagement ring, "Frankie?" she said emotion in her voice.

"You know how much I love you." he said taking the ring from her, "Let me take care of you forever. Will you marry me?" he slid the ring on her left ring finger.

"Frankie…I don't know. I have to think about that…" she said looking down at her hand.

"What's to think about? You love me. I love you. We belong together."

Helga sighed, she couldn't say yes. Not right now anyway, "I will give you my answer tonight. At dinner, is that ok?"

"That's fine."

Helga looked at Frankie's back, "Frankie?"
"What Babe?"
"I would like to invite my parents…"

"No."

"But why? I want them to be there with us. I want my mom and dad to hear my answer." "No."

"But…"

"I said no. End of discussion."

Helga pushed her chair back and began walking toward the bedroom. "Where are you going?" he asked.

"I feel really sick now. I'm gonna go lie down." She walked into the bedroom and curled up on her side of the bed.

A short time later Frankie walked in. He sat beside her and took her hand, "Helga, try to understand. Your parents will try to break us up. And I won't let anyone take you away from me." He said.

"No they won't. They want me to be happy. And you make me happy."

Frankie paused for a while. "All right, call them. But if anything goes wrong, and I mean anything, you won't speak to them again. Am I clear?"

Helga could barely contain her excitement. She threw her arms around him, "Oh thank you Frankie!" she kissed him all over his face.

He broke her embrace, "Okay, okay. Let's go eat breakfast before it burns."

Helga left the room with a large smile on her face, the first genuine smile in months. However, if she had seen Frankie's scowl, she would have known he was planning on making sure nothing went right.