Page 33 of Something Stronger
She shook her head as the door flew open. There standing in the doorway was a disheveled Charlie. His hair needed to be cut. It was sticking up in every direction and looked as if it hadn’t been washed in days. His jeans were a few sizes too big and ripped on one leg. The t-shirt he was wearing was torn at the neck and had several stains on the front. If I didn’t know any better, he almost appeared homeless. He staggered inside, his eyes wild and he gripped the doorway for balance. “I wanna see my daughter,” he growled.
“She’s not here.” I lifted my chin. I would not give in to him.
“I have every right to see her. Where is she?” He moved closer, and I could smell the whiskey on his breath. My body froze as memories flooded my brain. All the years I overlooked his faults, told myself this was normal, things would change. Every moment flashed through my head. Every night of smelling this as he climbed into bed. Every excuse as to why he couldn’t keep a job. All the things he missed and the reasons he gave for not being there.
“You need to leave.” I kept my voice calm.
“I’m not leaving without seeing her.” He pointed at me as he moved farther inside. “Where is she?”
“I’m calling the cops,” Carrie muttered from behind me.
“No, he’s gonna leave. Right, Charlie?” I lowered my voice.
“Always the peacemaker.” He chuckled. “Can’t believe this is where you ended up.” He tossed his head back and started laughing maniacally. “You always thought you were so high and mighty and look where you are now.”
“Everything ok?” Issac walked in. I didn’t even see him pull up.
“Who the fuck are you?” Charlie spun around, almost falling over in the process.
“I could ask you the same thing. The shop is closed. I think you need to leave.” Issac stepped closer and tried to guide Charlie out.
“The fuck I do. This is my wife. I can stay if I want.” He flung his arms to break free from Issac’s grip.
“Charlie, please leave,” I tried again.
Charlie’s drunken gaze swung between Carrie, Issac, and me before he started to make the connection. “Oh, fuck no. No fucking way.” He spun to face Issac. “You keep your fucking hands off my wife and kid. You hear me. They’re mine!” He stumbled slightly and tried to take a swing at Issac.
“Ok, we’re done here,” Issac growled as he grabbed Charlie’s arm and forced him outside. I could hear muffled shouting and then after a few minutes, Issac came in shaking his hand.
“Where’d he go?” I looked around frantically.
“Home.” Issac rubbed his knuckles before coming over to where we were standing. “Are you ok?” He wrapped his arm around me, and I couldn’t help it. I pulled away. I didn’t mean to, but I’d been on edge all day and Charlie’s jabs hit their mark. “I’m sorry.” He released me.
“I’m sorry, too. I just… I can’t right now.”
“Come on.” He started to guide me outside. “I’m taking you home.”
“But my car?” It was a feeble attempt but failed.
“Will still be here in the morning. You shouldn’t be driving tonight. Let me take you home.” He walked me to his truck, and I climbed in, almost robot-like. There was a small part of me that didn’t think I deserved this, and the other part wondered why after everything he just witnessed, Issac would still be here helping me.
We rode in silence to my apartment, aside from me giving directions about where to turn. When we pulled into the parking area, I stared out the windshield, trying to find the words that were eluding me. Issac cut the engine and just waited.
“I’m sorry.” I finally broke the quiet. “I’m sorry you had to see that.”
“I’m not.” He reached over and placed his hand on mine.
“You’re not?” I glanced over at him, completely confused.
“He doesn’t define you. He’s the reason you are the way you are, and it explains a lot, but he doesn’t define you.” He squeezed my hand. “You’re a good mom and a great person. You’re beautiful and kind, and smart. You are none of the things he called you over the years you were married to him. It’s notyour fault he’s the way he is. He controls that, not you, so don’t you go blaming yourself for any of that.” He turned in his seat to face me. “Do you hear me?” He cupped my chin, and I nodded, tears streaming down my face at this point. “Do you really hear me?”
“I do, but I might need you to say it a lot before I start believing it,” I murmured and sniffed. “Thank you.”
He leaned in and placed a quick kiss my lips. “You’re welcome. I’ll come get you in the morning to get your car, and then we’re gonna go watch our babies kick some butt in their last competition.” He smiled and flashed his teeth.
“Sounds like a plan.” I wiped at my eyes. “I’ll see you in the morning.” I started to climb out, and he climbed out too. “What are you doing?” I spun toward him, surprise covering my face.
“Walking you to the door. I would never expect you to walk to your own door in the dark.” He wrapped his arms around my shoulders as he led me up the stairs to my door. “Good night.” He placed another kiss, this time to my forehead, before he turned to jog down the steps. “See you tomorrow,” he called before disappearing into the darkness.
