Chapter 3
Sookie woke up the next morning in the comforting embrace of her best friend's guest bed. The sunlight streamed through the window, casting a warm glow on her face. For the first time in years, she felt a glimmer of optimism. Today marked the beginning of her new life—a life free from the clutches of abuse.
With a renewed sense of purpose, Sookie rose from the bed, determined to face the challenges that lay ahead. She headed for the bathroom, turning on the light. She faced the mirror giving a really good look at herself. Once again, she stares at the healing bruises on her face and her body. They were a few weeks old. For once, her eyes remained dry instead of pooling with tears.
Her lip was split from when Bill slapped her so hard that she hit the wall. And that was from simply pitting cream into his coffee; which is how usually likes it, cream and sugar, but for some reason he was screaming at her at how he now likes it black.
Sookie rolled her eyes at his insanity.
He never mentioned that before, so she hadn't known. This was no surprise though. Sookie had been thinking lately that he was just looking for reasons to hurt her. The reasons get more and more ridiculous every time he hits her. Is this what her life has come to? Living in fear in her own home? From her husband? From going out into the world and becoming the strong woman she used to be?
Sookie thought that marriages were supposed to be happy…at the very least content. Yet, she didn't feel happy, hell, she didn't even feel content. This marriage was horrible and had her constantly fearing for her life.
This was not how she imagined herself; married to a man who didn't love her, living in a house doing nothing with her life but chores and watching daytime TV. That's not the worse part though, the worst part is Bill beats on her over every little thing and treats her like garbage. She hit rock bottom. She lets Bill do all the finances, make all the money, and he works all day barely making it home in time for dinner.
To be honest, she didn't get to know Bill that much. She was in the library studying for a test, and there he was in front of her, complimenting her beauty. Sookie fell for him instantly. This time, Sookie was choosing to leave Bill and do things right. Looking back in the mirror, Sookie nodded her head and continued with her morning routine.
By the time breakfast was ready, Sookie was making her way downstairs, reveling at the scent of food. Jade had already prepared a cup of steaming coffee, a small gesture of comfort that spoke volumes about their unbreakable bond. Sookie smiled as she grabbed it from her best friend's hand.
While they sat in Jade's kitchen, enjoying their meal, Sookie poured her heart out, recounting the years of abuse, the scars that ran deeper than the surface, and the dreams that had been crushed under the weight of fear. Jade listened intently, her eyes brimming with empathy and understanding. Sookie sighs, feeling the guilt of disappointing her deceased grandmother.
"What's the matter, Sook?"
"I'm thinking about Gran, and how disappointed she would be with me. This was not the kind of life Gran had intended for me. She would have wanted her granddaughter to be happy and be with someone she trusts and can be herself with. Not marry a man who boosts his ego by tearing his own down." She stared at her cup of coffee.
"Agreed. Now this is how a man should boost his ego: go home to his woman and give her the pounding of her life, the kind of pounding that leaves her breathless and satisfied. There's nothing more ego-boosting than pleasing your significant other…Not the kind of pounding that leaves her with a black eye, a bloodied nose, and cracked ribs."
Sookie smiled at her friend, then frowns. How long has it been since Bill even satisfied her? How long has it been since he cared about her pleasure? Even when they made love for the first time, it was still all about his pleasure. These days she's the one pleasing him, and that's the end of that. Nothing. She's nothing more than a blowup doll and punching bag for Bill to use to his heart's content.
"I know that look," Jade says, interrupting her train of thought.
"What look?" She looks away nervously, biting her lip and hating that she can be so obvious in her line of thinking. But then again, it is her best friend. Who other than her Gran or brother knows her better? Jade was the only one to pick up on her tells when she knew something was wrong and Sookie was refusing to talk about it.
"Your 'I'm thinking of what Bill has done for me' look. It's a very unhappy look. And we both know the answer to that. Nothing. He has done nothing for you. Bill is one of those guys that has too much testosterone, thinks waay too highly of himself, and with his head so far up his ass that he smells his shit and still thinks it doesn't stink."
Sookie laughs at her friend's wording, agreeing with the statement.
"But on a more serious note. First of all, your Gran would not be disappointed in you. She'd be proud that you had the guts to leave that asshole." She retorts, with fervor. "You're incredibly brave, Sook," Jade said, her voice filled with admiration. "Leaving an abusive relationship takes immense strength, and you've taken the first step towards reclaiming your life."
Sookie nodded, a mix of emotions swirling within her. Relief, sadness, and a newfound determination coexisted within her as she spoke.
"I can't believe I stayed for so long, but I can't change the past. All I can do is focus on the future and rebuild my life." She reached out and held Sookie's hand.
"Damned straight! And you will, my dear friend. We're in this together. You have a support system that will never waver, and we'll help you heal, rediscover your worth, and find happiness again." The two best friends finished their breakfast, enjoying the silence. As always with Sookie, she'd do dishes, seeing as how Jade did the cooking.
"You want to help me plan this BBQ? We can go shopping, and make it a girl's day!" At first, Sookie's response would be to say no, yet she wanted to make changes and be different this time around.
Sookie nodded her head, making her best friend beam at her. Today marked a new chapter in her life—a chapter where she would seek the support she desperately needed.
She knew that breaking free from the clutches of abuse would require a network of allies, individuals who could guide her on her journey to healing.
