WARNING
The following chapter contains several topics that may be triggers to some readers. This chapter contains acts of physical and sexual violence. It deals with other topics that may be triggers as well for some readers. Please read with caution.
Christmas turned out decent. I was able to keep the fake smile on and the pretend façade going. Jax seemed happy that I was more docile. In truth I just wanted the children to have a decent holiday season. Money had been tight, and I felt bad that the children did not have a ton of gifts to open on Christmas morning. Surprisingly, they were all excited for the gifts that they did receive. Jax gave everyone the best gift of all though with Daisy.
The kids were excited that Daisy had joined the family. Even Isabella loved watching
I reached a new level of depression that I did not know even existed. I struggled to get out of bed. I no longer cared when or if I showered. I threw out all my makeup, and hardly ever wore jewelry. I felt tired all the time, but my brain was constantly moving. I hardly ate, food just was not appetizing. I no longer drew, played little phone games, or read books. Nothing held my attention, I just wanted to sleep. When I was asleep, I did not have to live in the nightmare I was in. Sleep was my escape from my own hell.Jax did not care that I was withdrawn. He was back to drinking and it was steadily getting worse. As long as I kept my mouth shut, and the kids stayed quiet and out of his hair, he was usually content. Occasionally he would release the biting remark reminding me of how fat I was, ugly, or his personal favorite insult whore. It had been three weeks since he forced himself on me, but since then he has not physically touched me.
Jayce’s message opened a whole new part of me that I did not even know I had inside of me. Slowly my depression started lifting. Instead, I channeled my feelings into truly living a double life. I knew that I needed to get away from Jax, but all my plans had failed before. I still had no job, and money was tight. I needed to face myself, and come to terms that I had not been truly trying to leave the situation that I placed myself in.I got serious about finding a way to leave. I started finding odd jobs that I could do while Jax was at work. I ensured that I could do them when he was away from the house. This allowed me to save up a little money that he knew nothing about. Some of the jobs were disgusting but I powered through. I even made a few good acquaintances along the way.I also joined a support group at my college for victims of domestic violence. I was hoping that a few group members would be able to
The second week of March Jax found a new way to make my blood run cold. I came home from school, and Jax was already home. As soon as I hit the front foyer, he was calling me into the bedroom. My blood froze in my veins, I knew that the children were still in school, so it was just Jax and I in the house. Quick flashes of the last time he attacked me when no one was home started flitting through my brain. I quickly pulled out my phone, I had a detective’s number on speed dial that one of the women gave me at group.Even having my phone in an easily accessible place did not stop my legs from feeling heavy as I walked through the hallway towards the bedroom. There was no way of telling what awaited me when I would get to the room. I had no idea if Jax was already drinking, if he were in a good or bad mood, or even if I had done something that would upset him.Reaching for the door handle I took a deep breath bef
Lady luck stayed on my side for a little while. The shooting range that used to operate in town was closed permanently. Jax was upset when he found out about it, but I placated him a little bit telling him that I was sure we could find another one. I knew that if Jax ever got that gun on a range he would find out quickly that someone had removed the firing pin. It did not take a genius to know exactly who he would blame either.Jax decided not to open carry his newest toy. I admit it was a relief knowing that he did not carry it with him. Even without a firing pin, Jax could use that weapon in other ways. It was a heavy gun, and if he chose to hit someone with it, he was going to do permanent damage.Life quickly returned to normal. I kept pretending everything was good, fake smiles, fake affection, and behind that working on a way out. Jax’s drinking was steadily getting worse. To my shock this actually helpe
It took almost three weeks for my lip to partially heal. Jax had bitten it hard enough that he left a few scars. Once again, the dynamic in the home had changed. I could no longer hide Jax’s abusive nature from the children. Isabella and Helen quickly filled the other children in on Jax’s behavior regarding his previous girlfriends. I was not sure exactly how much of their tales I should believe, but I was sure there was some merit of truth in their stories.Isabella told me about Jax’s previous girlfriend that had children. Similar to my situation she had been close to eviction. Jax had moved here and her children into the same home we now shared. The newest information that Isabella shared was that the woman had been pregnant at the time. Isabella claimed that the only reason Jax was not physically abusive to her for so long was because she was with child. According to Isabella once the baby was born it was like living i
I was doing my best to keep the children occupied while Jax was being transported to the hospital. Once he reached the local hospital, they managed to stabilize him. I had called before he arrived and the friendly staff promised to keep me updated on his progress, and if they planned to transport him. It was ten at night before I finally received a call. Jax had a minor heart attack.The local physicians were able to discover that Jax had a blockage in one of his lower valves in his heart. Unfortunately, they did not have a cardiologist on hand that could perform the surgery that he needed. Jax was going to be transported to a neighboring larger city where a cardiologist was already waiting for him. The nurse was patient and answered all my questions. She explained that they were going to transport him to the other hospital, he would undergo the surgery, and then the doctors there would determine when Jax could return home. Before we got of
To say that the day was stressful would be a gross understatement of what I was feeling. I spent the rest of the night trying to calm Isabella and Helen. Isabella was terrified that she would have to go with her mother. Helen was torn, she did not remember her mother’s abuse. They had a million questions about whether they would need to change schools, and if I had any updates on their father. I hated that I could not give them concrete answers to all their questions.I did eventually get a phone call with updates about Jax. He was awake and recovering well. The nurse explained that they plan on discharging him the day after tomorrow. The nurse also explained that I would need to come to the hospital before he was discharged. Even though Jax was healing well he would need additional care at home, as well as follow up appointments with a cardiologist. I asked her if I could speak with Jax but was informed that he was currently sleeping
The girls were ecstatic that I had solved the problem with Crystal. They were also overjoyed when I told them that Jax was coming home tomorrow. Levi and Shawn were not so happy about it, but we decided to enjoy our last night of peace. I ordered us pizza and we decided to play a few board games with movies on the television. I figured after the miserable week that everyone had that we deserved a night of fun.Jax called before the children went to bed. He spoke with Isabella; she bragged a little about how I got rid of Crystal. Once she was done on the phone Jax asked to speak with me. He asked me if I planned on being at the hospital tomorrow. I explained to him that yes, I would be there. I relayed everything that his nurse and physician had explained to me. Jax said that he was getting tired, so we got off the phone. Everyone decided that we should go to bed early. Tomorrow was a big day, Jax was coming home.I
The next week was very hectic. I ended up having two long days at work, and it was proving difficult to work my schedule around Jayce’s schedule and taking the kids to their various activities. I felt on edge all the time, even at the supermarket because I was afraid that Jax would do something to my vehicle again.A follow up phone call confirmed that there were no cameras in the area that would have been able to capture Jax messing with my car that night. I was beyond frustrated that he could continue to harass me and get away with it.One of the few silver linings to my week was that I had not seen Jax again face to face. Although Jayce had stood up for me last time, I could not help but to fear that I would run into Jax without having Jayce with me.Jayce had practically moved into the house with me and the kids. Although he still had his trailer, because Jax was an ever-present threat to my safety he was staying at the house. I would be a liar if I sa
The next morning Jayce placed a call to his mechanic friend while I made us some coffee. The kids had plans with their youth group, and I was lucky that they had a ride into town. With Jax being out of jail I worried whenever they were gone, but today they were taking a trip up the mountain to do some mushroom hunting. Morel mushrooms grew wild on the mountain and the group had found some last year and wanted to explore even more this year.Jayce came down and informed me that his friend had some time this afternoon to come and look at the car. I confirmed once again that it was not going to cost me anything, and Jayce reassured me that he had already spoken to him about it. I felt a pang of guilt at making Jayce use a favor to help me, but it was imperative that I have the car running well. Living outside of town was great for isolation, but we definitely needed a vehicle to get back and forth to town.Since we had time, we quickly settled into a morning routine of cl
Living in a small town has some advantages. Everyone seems to know everyone else’s business. It did not take long for word to get back to me that Jax was seeing a new girl. Well technically it was a previous girlfriend that he got back together with. I was astounding that she would subject herself to his abuse all over again, but then I also wondered if he was just more abusive with me.That train of thought led to me wondering if I was incapable of being loved properly. Afterall my ex-husband cheated on me, Jax abused me, and I still did not know where I stood with Jayce. Speaking of Jayce things with him were not bad. We spent most days and nights together, we acted like a couple, yet neither of us seemed capable of broaching the subject of whether or not we were dating.To say that it was a confusing time would be an understatement of the well of emotion that I seemed caught in. Most days I felt like I was fine, like I could pretend that the past year with Jax
Jayce got called into work the following morning. In truth I was relieved because it helped dispel some of the awkwardness of the moment. I had zero regrets about what we had done last night, but I could not help but wonder if Jayce did. Jayce has always seemed worldly, and experienced. I have always feared that I disappoint him in the bedroom. Once I had dropped Jayce off, I had some time on my hands. I wished yet again that Emily was home. I could use a good morning coffee, and conversation.Since Emily still was not home, and I had nothing else to get done I headed home and made a pot of coffee for myself. Sitting on the couch with my legs curled under me, I contemplated whether last night would change the relationship that Jayce and I have. More importantly did I want our relationship to change?There is a huge part of me that fears losing the wonderful friendship that I have with Jayce. I have not made that many genuine connections in my life, and I certainly do n
Jayce pulls me into the room that I still have not slept in. He slides his hand through my hair, softly brushing his thumb over my cheekbone. “Noel, are you a hundred percent sure that you want this?” His touch has already awakened a dull aching need for him within my body.“Jayce, I need this. I need to remember what it feels like to be touched with love, instead of hate. I need to remember what passion truly feels like. I need to remember how sex can feel when it is wanted and needed.” My voice is raspy as he trails kisses along my neck.I clumsily reach for the hem of Jayce’s shirt. I want to feel his skin against mine, I need to feel that heat. Jayce turns me slightly and we move towards the bed. As he lowers me softly on the mattress, he removes the shirt that I fumbled with earlier. I cannot help my wandering eyes, as I my gaze drops lower. I have always enjoyed Jayce’s chest. He has a few tattoos along his pectorals, and a few
I was nervous and distracted at work the next day. I could not stop the irrational fear that somehow Jax was going to find out where I was working, or worse find out where I lived and mess with the kids while I was at work. I probably called Levi ten times asking if everything was going good at the house. By the time my shift ended I felt like I was a complete basket case. As I climbed in my car, I was already dialing Jayce’s number, and he answered on the first ring.“Hey beautiful how was work?” Hearing his voice helped to relax me a little bit.“Work was ok, but I have been anxious all day thinking that Jax was somehow going to find out where I am at. I think I called the kids a million times today.” I tried to laugh that last part, but even I could hear the tension in my voice.“That is a completely normal response to everything that is going on. Everything is going to work out, I just know it. So, I have a bag packed if y
“What exactly is a plea bargain?” When the attorney did not continue, I felt that I needed to ask. From the glances she was giving the victim assistance worker I could only assume that I was not going to like the answer she was about to give me.“A plea bargain is where I give Jax a set of conditions that he must fulfill and in return he accepts the charges, and we avoid a full trial.” It seemed as if the attorney was dancing around the subject instead of giving me the straight facts.“What are the conditions you are asking for, and what exactly would his charges be?” The longer this meeting was taking, the more my rage was building. It seems as if Jax has the world convinced that he is a great guy, and that him beating me was just a fluke.“At this time Jax has been in jail for almost three weeks. I would ask that does sixty days in jail, he would need to complete drug and alcohol classes, as well as an anger management
The day after I had dinner with Jayce, I got a call from the victim assistance worker, and the prosecuting attorney. They wanted to have a meeting with me regarding what was going to happen in court and how they wanted to proceed. I was anxious to get court over with. I knew that Jax was appointed an attorney, so I was hoping that meant that things were going to start going quickly. I set up the meeting for the next day.Today was my first day back at work and I was slightly nervous. I was happy to be making money again, but this was a new place with new people. I used to be outgoing and willing to talk to anyone, but now I questioned everyone and worried that they would be friends with Jax. I knew that most of today would be orientation, so I was not too stressed.I was surprised to find that the day flew by. My new coworkers were older than I was, but they were pleasant people to talk to. They seemed genuinely kind and caring, although I could tell that my boss had a
I had been nervous about seeing Jayce in person. We had not seen each other in so long. I had no idea if showing up at his work was the right thing to do, but he was still smiling as he walked over to me. He quickly gave me a hug and told me I looked good. I wanted to get lost in his warm embrace. It felt nice just being able to see him again. I was surprised that old feelings began to stir, and I wondered if this truly had been a good idea.“Wow I cannot believe you are here. Wait why are you here?” Jayce was a little shocked and slightly confused. I had never come into his work before, and this usually never stopped at this gas station.“Well, I was still moving a few things, and after we had talked last night, I did not want to wait to see you. It seems like both of us have schedules and we keep missing each other, so I decided to stop here to see you.” I rushed my explanation out, hoping that it did not sound lame. Hearing the words made me