Five

Here I am lying in the hospital, deep in thought. I was in a state of shock, an inch from being dead. I didn't think Blake would do something like this to me; I didn't think he had the nerve. But here I am, I guess actions speak louder than words. A few minutes later, the doctor came into the room.

"Mrs. Crenshaw, I have good news: you are being discharged today. Now, young lady, take it easy, you are still very fragile, and your body needs time to heal. Losing as much blood as you did is a serious matter. So, please, get plenty of rest and eat well and drink plenty of water and fluids."

"Thank you, Doctor Clayton." The minute he left the room I felt nervous all over my body, I began to tremble, my hands couldn't keep steady. I sat on the bed trying to calm myself.

"He's sending me home. There's Nothing Wrong with Me? Why do I feel this way?" I began to question myself because something felt terribly wrong. I tried to reason with myself. 'I'm sure others have felt this way after a traumatic experience."

The human brain is an outstanding organ. But little did Treasure know that her brain was about to become a runaway train without her even realizing it.

I kept asking myself the same questions while reminding myself that the Doctor said I’m fine. But how do you know when you've crossed the line from sanity to insanity? How can you tell when you are out of touch with reality?

Distracting me from my confused thoughts, my phone rang. "Hello."

"Hi, Treasure, it's Blake. I heard you were getting discharged today."

My heart began to pound, I didn't know if it was from anger or was, I still hoping.

"Yes, after dinner I can come home."

"Good, because we need to sit down and talk about this marriage."

"Yes, I know," I said, rolling my eyes at how reckless his attitude could be when he opened his mouth.

"I'm not going to get into it over the phone. It is a conversation that is best had in person."

"I agree."

"What time do you think you'll be here?"

"Um-hmm, I guess around six thirty."

"Okay, I'll see you soon. Be safe getting home."

"Blake, thank you, and thanks for calling me."

I hoped I didn't have any passion in my voice, but this call did give me hope. Maybe he has changed his heart and is ready to fix our marriage. I can't wait to see what happens. I wonder if he and Claire ended things. Maybe that's why he hasn't come to visit me here at the hospital, because he was breaking up with that home wrecker. Thank goodness, he's come to his senses.

It was around 6:15 when I walked through the door, the house, it was lifeless. I turned on the light in the kitchen and took a seat. I was still angry, but mostly hurt and disappointed. I was hoping to see Jake to thank him for being there for me and even being at the hospital. I'm sure I'll get my chance to tell him I appreciate his support. I headed upstairs. I rolled my suitcases into the master bedroom to see if Blake had made it home yet. He hadn't made it home from work, so I climbed into bed to get some rest while I waited. I had drifted off to sleep, and when I awakened and looked at the clock on the nightstand, it was almost 10 pm.

Blake walked into our bedroom. He looked unconcerned as he opened the door and saw me lying there.

“Blake, why didn’t you come home tonight at six?

“I was busy with work.”

“Busy with work, or busy with something else?” I said, sitting up in bed, disgruntled.

Blake hesitated; surprise crossed his face for a moment at my remark. "Look, I'm not going to waste your time, nor mine." Then, like bullets, his lethal words came blasting from his mouth.

"Now that you know about my affair with Claire, I feel relieved that the truth is out. Look, are you standing by your decision, or are you willing to compromise? Nothing will change, you will do your duties around here as a wife, and that includes having sex when I want it. I will continue to provide you with a comfortable roof over your head. I think that's fair."

There was no hello, how are you doing? Nothing but hurtful and disrespectful empty words. I remained calm, keeping my health condition in mind, but I was steaming hot on the inside.

Blake sat at the end of the bed, removing his tie, emotionless. I had just lost this man's flesh in blood and nearly died, and he's sitting here acting like it never happened. My blood pressure was rising at each inconsiderate, cruel word he spoke. It only deepened the sense of betrayal I felt. He acted like I owed him something. What about all the back pay he owes me for making me quit my job for nothing? He took my youth, my trust, and love, and even snatched my child from my womb. Here he is treating me like I was fulfilling some debt I owed him. It felt so heavy I could barely speak.

"Compromise? Are you really telling me to accept your affair?"

Blake raised his voice as if that justified all the hurt and pain he had caused me. "I can’t believe you, of all people, had the nerve to tell me the other night about all the sacrifices you have made. Like what I’ve done for you was nothing. I provide for you; I take care of you! I chose to stay. I could have left you long ago, but I didn’t. I could have walked away, but I remained married to you."

"I stand by my decision, Blake, we need to end whatever this is between us. Why is this so hard to understand? You are an intelligent man. It's over, I'm finally fully aware as to what is going on here, you don't love me, or want me, and you never did. I have to be wise and accept that, and you should be happy, but instead, you are angry. I don't get it."

"I'm not angry, you used me, and now you want a divorce so you can try and get your hands on my money. I've seen greedy, low-down women like you before. I've dealt with the worst of the worst. You are no match for me, baby! It'll never happen! You will never get your hands on one red penny I possess!"

My asking him for a divorce was like a slap on his face. It instantly shattered Blake’s pride. My rejection shook him to the core. Blake Crenshaw wasn’t used to anyone denying or rejecting him. In all his cruelty he had done to me, hearing that I didn’t want him anymore, that was like a stab to his high and mighty Crenshaw pride.

“Whatever, Blake, you can't hurt me, no more than you already have, and when we go to court and the judge makes you pay my wife support, you'll deserve it, for all you put me through. So, let's get this over as soon as possible. This arrangement you made with my uncle, without consulting me first, is null and void. I reject it.”

"Boy, you really are something. I see you lack gratitude; no wonder your uncle was ready to get rid of you."

With his twisted logic, he tried hard to convince himself that marrying me was some major sacrifice, as if that made up for his betrayal and that I should feel guilty. But it was time to take back my strength instead of waiting for him to give it back.

"Your words don't hurt me anymore. I still want a divorce. And you'll be free to sleep around all you want."

Blake’s jaw tightened, and I saw a flash of hatred in his dark eyes, he stared at me hard. I said it and I meant it, but I was so unprepared for what would happen next.