Page 27 of Love's Bloom
“If you don’t mind, I’d feel more comfortable inside,” said Misty. Common sense told her she was safe sitting on his porch, but her vivid memories made it seem more secure inside.
Once inside, Misty sat on the couch in the living area.
“What would you like? Red or white wine?” asked David.
“I’d like a glass of red, thank you.” Misty hoped it would warm her up. Whenever she thought of Vince being near her, she felt like she were in an old-fashioned nor’easter storm.
David opened a bottle of red wine and brought a glass to her. “I’ll grab a beer and be right back.”
Misty accepted the wine he offered her and sat back on the couch.
He sat beside her and, giving her a questioning look, took hold of her hand. “Whenever you’re ready.”
Misty liked the feel of his strong fingers gently placed around her hand. She drew a breath and began. “Vince comes from a wealthy family. They seemed normal at first. Then I began to see how his father dominated everyone and how cruel he could be, and I realized he and Vince had some of the same behaviors. They were never wrong about anything. They had to control all interactions. Everything was on their terms.”
“You said Vince’s father was domineering. Did you ever see him hit anyone?” asked David.
“No, but he was quick to anger and had an icy stare that could slice you open like a sharp knife,” she said, feeling a shudder.
“Vince didn’t like it when I turned him down to attend family events. But after I realized his father didn’t like me, I couldn’t stand the pressure of being with him. Then, the belittling remarks began. They were delivered in a joking matter at first. Things you wouldn’t notice right away. Harmless.”
“Like what?” David asked.
“When I put on a new dress for a special party, he asked me if that’s what I was going to wear, that the color didn’t suit me. He told me he’d wait until I changed it. Or sometimes he’d tell me I didn’t have time to change clothes to suit him, that I’d have to leave wearing something he said looked awful on me. Then, he started to put down my teaching career, calling me a babysitter. Said I wasn’t bright enough to teach high school kids like one of his cousins.”
“Typical of some emotional abusers,” said David.
Misty took a sip of wine. “I can’t tell you some of the other things he said. Thinking of them now makes me sick to my stomach.”
David gave her hand a gentle squeeze of encouragement.
“Things got worse when Vince asked me to move in with him. I woke up to what was happening and remembered how my mother was taken in by men who promised her a decent life and how it ruined her and hurt Crystal and me. I knew then there was no way I could live with him. It would’ve been a nightmare. I knew that all too well from my mother’s experiences.”
“Did the hitting start then?” asked David.
Misty nodded. “It began with a playful push or a so-called light slap to my back. When Vince smacked me in the face, I told him I wouldn’t see him again. He cried and said it would never happen again.”
“And it happened again,” said David, shaking his head.
“That time, I fought him off, and he went crazy. He’d been drinking all evening, and I knew I was in trouble when he attacked for real. I managed to kick him in his groin, and when I threatened to call the police, he left. Before he could attack again, I grabbed a few things from my apartment, got in the car, and came here.”
“So, he knows where you live?” David asked.
“Not exactly. When people asked, I always said I came from the Boston area, not New Hampshire. It sounded a little more glamorous. I didn’t realize until after I left how important that might become.”
“We’ll see what Nick can find out from JoEllen and go from there. Until then, why don’t you get comfortable? Would you like to watch a movie?” David’s look of concern was endearing. “How about a comedy?
As Misty leaned back, David set up the movie on his TV and took a seat on the couch beside her, leaving plenty of room between them. Something Misty appreciated.
Misty had no idea when she fell asleep, but her eyes fluttered open when David rose and placed a blanket over her. Emotionally spent, she retreated into sleep until memories took over. Then she tossed and turned.
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The next morning, she got up and padded to the bathroom. She returned to the couch, wrapped the blanket around her, and went to the front porch to watch the sunrise. It was another hot summer day, and Misty loved observing the early morning activities of the birds and small woodland creatures as they began their day.
She studied the rows of growing trees and bushes and realized how much work David had put into the business. She liked the idea of him growing things. He was such a loving person, and it showed in his work.
At the sound of someone behind her, she turned to see David smiling at her. “It’s a nice time of day to sit on the porch. How did you sleep?”
