Carmen

It was another Friday night here at home by myself, as I waited for my fiancé Lance to come in from work. He would be home by 8:00, therefore dinner HAD to be ready before he walked in. If not, I was going to have to hear him yell his ass off. He was not the type of person to be played with. And when he felt like he was getting played with, he would yell, throw and break things, or rough me up a bit.What he wanted, he got. What he needed me to do, I did it. No matter what it was. There was no back talk or negotiating. Just do it or suffer the consequences. 

It was now 6:45. I got up from the couch, pausing Jumping the Broom, as I walked up to the fridge to pull out some rib eye steaks. Even though Lance was kind of demanding, I loved him, and I couldn’t wait to marry him. Problem is, we haven’t even set a date yet. I was thinking of a winter wedding in December. It would be perfect, but of course I would have to run it by him to see what he thinks about it. We’ve been together since Sopohomore year at college. Boy, have the years flown by. 

I warmed up the griddle on the stove as I began seasoning the meat. I let that sit, while I washed up some potatoes.  Steak, baked potatoes, and a salad would be the perfect meal for tonight. Hopefully, he would actually eat it. I cant count how many times I would cook up a big meal and he would come in with an excuse, telling me he already ate out with the guys, or he just wasn’t hungry. I’d rather hear him say that than throwing the plate of food across the room like he had done in the past.

That night I made a homemade lasagna, with garlic bread, and a big salad. It was done by 8 as always, but that night he didn’t walk in til 11. I didn’t eat because I was waiting on him to eat with me. He had alcohol all over his breath, his collar shirt was miss-buttoned, and he had smeared lipstick on his lips. We got into it that night because he said I accused him of cheating. Hell, there was no point of accusing him, I knew it. He got highly upset as the argument moved from the living room to the kitchen, where he threw our plates of food I had wrapped up for us to eat for later onto the floor. Seconds after that, he grabbed my neck hard pressing my body up against the cold kitchen wall. Sighs, It hurt like hell, but even my tears wasn’t enough for him to stop.

My phone vibrated on the counter, interrupting my thoughts. I picked it up to see my sissy’s face across the screen.

Casey

“Hey Caseyboo,” I squealed into the phone. We haven’t talked in a few days because she was busy preparing for her finals. She cuts everybody off during this time.

“Hey sis! I have missed you.” She squealed.

“I’ve missed you too. How did your finals go?” I asked her while placing the steaks on the griddle as the light smoke filled the air.

“They went great. I know for sure I passed. Ay, what you got planned for tonight?” she asked. 

“Nothing. I’m cooking dinner right now, before Lance gets home, then I’ll probably just chill wit him.” I replied. 

“Damn, I swear that nigga got you on a fucking schedule Carmen. ” She spat with annoyance.

“Casey, don’t start with me.” I spat lowly at her. 

“I’m just saying, you’re always doing stuff for him, never for you. I hope you two get your shit together before the “I DO’s” come into play. Do you ever leave the house after you get off work?” She spat again.

“He’s about to be my husband, I have to—“ 

“You don’t have to cater to his every damn command Carmen. Hell he grown let his ass be” she said cutting me off. 

I huffed as I did every time me and her would have this conversation. She never liked Lance, but she tolerates him because I love him. He wasn’t a bad guy, he just hasn’t been his, fun, loving, caring self lately. If i was to tell her that she’d say I’m making up excuses for him.

“Can we not talk about this, I’m trying to cook.” I said with annoyance.

“No we don’t. Look Chris is throwing a party tonight for his friend. He told me to invite you. Are you going to come with me or do you gotta check in with Lance first.” She joked.

Even though I knew she was joking, it was the truth. I had to let him know my every move. If I ask him if I could go out to this party he would tell me no before I could even finish asking. He didn’t want me going to parties, especially when men were gonna be there. He hated when men would look my way. He also said it was something a soon to be wife should be doing. So partying was out of the question. Besides what I wanted, didn’t matter much for some reason.

“I’ll let you know once I get something to eat. I’ll call you back.”

“Ok, love u sissy.” Her light voice said.

“Love you too.” I sat my phone down and continued cooking.

By the time I finished cooking, it was 7:50. Everything was hot, ready and smelling really good. I set up the table as I always did, and poured two glasses of wine, as I sat the bottle back on the ice. As soon as finished, my phone rang. I looked at the screen and it said “Hubby”. He wouldn’t be calling if he was on his way…I already knew what was up. I answered the phone as my stomach dropped to the floor.

Sighs… “Hey…” I simply said trying to hold back my emotions.

“Hey babe, uhh look I’m going be late coming home tonight, I’m not sure how late, so don’t wait up for me. Did you cook?” he asked me as the music from his car blasted in the background.

“Yeah….I actually JUST finished. I thought you would be here.” I said getting irritated.

“I know you’re not getting an attitude with me!?” he snapped at me. I just got quiet to avoid confrontation. 

“Look, I gotta go. Put the food up and I’ll see you when I get there. I’ll talk to you later.”

“Bye..” I said realizing he had already hung up before he could even here me say bye.

Once again my feelings were hurt as warm tears slowly traveled down my cheeks. I was pissed. I stood at the end of the table picking up my glass of wine and chugged it down. I did the same with the glass I had out for him. It was a Friday night and here I was at home, with a fully cooked meal, and a bottle of wine, by my damn self. After my 4th glass of wine, I was starting to feel myself. I guess you can call it liquor courage, because I decided to call up Casey to tell her I was going to hang out with her tonight. Her phone rang three times before her soft voice picked up.

“Hey sissy, whats up?” she asked all excitedly.

“Are you still hittin up that party tonight?” I asked her pacing back and forth.

“Yeah, I was just about to head out why? Have you decided to come?” her voice eagerly asked.

“Yeah, I’m coming. Give 30 minutes to shower and get myself together.” I replied as she screamed into the phone in excitement. She was too happy!

“I’m on my way!” she said before hanging up. 

I placed my phone on the table as I walked down the hallway to get ready for tonight !