Awakening (465 hits)
Category: NoneRating: 2 on 11 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by seduce.a.stranger (View user info) at 2005-06-13 20:37:11 EDT
A warm mix of smells wafted out of the kitchen, as well as noises of busy activity. Harriet had been cooking for hours, the work a small joy to her. She didn't often have much to look forward to...a stay at home wife who found pleasure through the novels she read or being in her church choir. Before William had stopped her from being in it, anyways. He thought there was too much religious fanaticism, and who was she to argue? Though her preacher had asked her to say, and the ladies now wrote her often. They had adored her while she was there, with her angelic soprano. It had simply had to stop.
In her mind, though, she often replayed the hymns. The gospel music, especially.
The meal that she'd anguished over was almost done. The marinade the fine beef had simmered in had been prepared days ago, when she found out about the promotion Will was up for at work. If he got the job, it could be a celebration dinner. If not, it would be comfort food. Having been married for three years, never wanting anything else, she had the time to pay attention to her husband's wants and needs. And he certainly provided her with everything she needed.
And maybe some things she didn't want.
She ran a hand down the front of her dress, shuddering as she brushed over the bruise on her hip. Clumsy of her, really, to run into the counter. Will hadn't been going to hurt her, not again. And he'd been so sorry after she hit the marble. She couldn't think of anything material he hadn't provided for her. After they'd been married, though, straight out of college, Harriet yearned for something more. She didn't know if it was children, or some kind of companionship, or maybe just something to get her mind off of everything all day. She thought so actively, her keen mind easily mastering cooking, gardening, housework, music, knitting. Anything she could do to occupy herself.
William came in through the front door.
She made her last few preparations, and carried the large meat tray out to the dining room. She made her face carefully expectant, not wanting to guess the wrong way about the job her husband had been up for. A look at his face when she entered the front hallway, though, and she knew he'd gotten it. She smiled broadly at him. "Come in, baby, and get out of that big coat. I've got a celebration dinner all made up for-"
Her words were excited before his interruption.
"Harriet, I can't stay." He sighed, agitated at her eagerness. "The boys are already getting drinks and wings ready for me. I've got to go back out and meet them." He turned, opening the door, but looked back. Her heart was doing sumersaults, hoping that maybe he'd smelled something and would just come in for a bite. "I just wanted to get my Yankees hat. They're playing tonight." He walked out, shutting the door behind him.
She stood in the hallway for a few moments, never more utterly alone.
A single tear fell down her cheek, now, as Harriet made realizations. This one little thing had let her see so much. She knew she was smart. She knew she was pretty. But Will never saw those things. She had always loved him, though he hit her.
She made the statement again in her mind.
He hit her. And she couldn't take it anymore. But who did she have to go to? Her parents would never take her back if she left her husband. The few other friends she had saw her so rarely that they may not even recognize her. She walked up the stairs, slowly. When she got to her closet, she began to take down the suitcase. When she finally got the heavy luggage down, Will's handgun fell down with a few other items.
She spent her whole life being lonely.
User Reviews
Submitted by Bigmike (user info) at 2005-06-22 20:27:05 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
This elicited emotion from me. I saw the ending coming, but not how you presented it.
Nice job with this one.
Submitted by c1ndy (user info) at 2005-06-14 14:18:35 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Brdn_Nkd (user info) at 2005-06-14 09:19:02 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by A-Daamage (user info) at 2005-06-14 01:36:05 (#)
Ranking: 2
If you like these kinds of stories, I would highly recommend a lesser known Stephen King novel to you by the title of Rose Madder. I think Rose is one of his most endearing characters.
that is a very good book.
Submitted by Berty (user info) at 2005-06-14 05:06:52 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by morontian (user info) at 2005-06-13 21:58:04 (#)
Ranking: 2
This reminds me EXACTLY of a girl I work with. It's so sad. Why do such beautiful people put up with such shit? I have never gotten a satisfacory answer. +2's for eternity to anyone who can offer even a clue.
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A combination of things really. In the end it just comes down to being stuck in a situation. You lose contact with freinds and family (or never had much contact to start with) and just end up isolated.
It all kicks off with dubious decisions made earlier on. Women have a habit of being primarily attracted to strength which can lead to all sorts of problems later on. Men on the other hand can have a tendency to search for submisive roles in relationships, a role that is open for abuse at the hands of an insensetive partner.
Submitted by A-Daamage (user info) at 2005-06-14 01:36:05 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
If you like these kinds of stories, I would highly recommend a lesser known Stephen King novel to you by the title of Rose Madder. I think Rose is one of his most endearing characters.
Submitted by kai070169 (user info) at 2005-06-14 00:55:05 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by knucklesnelson (user info) at 2005-06-13 22:55:53 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
bravo
Submitted by morontian (user info) at 2005-06-13 21:58:04 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
This reminds me EXACTLY of a girl I work with. It's so sad. Why do such beautiful people put up with such shit? I have never gotten a satisfacory answer. +2's for eternity to anyone who can offer even a clue.
Submitted by girlintheworld (user info) at 2005-06-13 21:11:47 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I really liked this.
Submitted by seduce.a.stranger (user info) at 2005-06-13 20:57:27 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
It is fictional, but inspired by a women's shelter that I worked at one summer. Some of the things those women go through before they finally get help...it's so sad, but moving.
Submitted by Xcuses (user info) at 2005-06-13 20:43:15 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I enjoyed reading this. Hopefully it's totally fictional....from anyone you know.