Chapter 15 ~ Isabella #2
I shake my head no. I’m too scared to move right now.
She looks me over. “You are covered in food and glass. You need to change and get out of those clothes. They are gone, Isabella, you’re safe and I won’t leave you.
I’ll get Rose to make you some clear soup and tea.
” She looks around at the mess in the room.
“I also think I’ll get that little brunette to come and clean up while I guard the bathroom door.”
She pulls me by the hand, and I follow her. I just do what she says because I don’t know what else to do. Sasha sits me on the toilet and starts the tub. I bend over and take off my socks, dropping them on the floor.
She grabs a face cloth and runs it under water. She brings it over.
“Put this on your throat till I can get a bag of ice. You got this?” She points at the tub.
I just nod and hold the cold cloth to my throat. I mouth thank you and she smiles down at me.
“I’ll be back with soup and ice. Get in.” She points at the tub. “You’re in shock. I’ll be just a few minutes. Don’t bloody drown while I’m gone.”
I undress, put my clothes in the hamper, and step into the tub. My feet tingle and burn. They are so cold. I lower myself in, turn off the water and lay back on the edge of the tub. It hurts to swallow.
He said I signed my death warrant. What does that mean?
I signed nothing, ever. He said I was working with my dad, trying to take his father’s seat.
This must be something my father has done?
It has to be. But he won’t believe me no matter how much I try to explain, and I can’t even if I wanted to. I don’t even know what’s happening.
I can hear the vacuum cleaner and movement outside the bathroom door. Sasha must be back. I lower myself to my chin in the water.
The one thing I’m certain of is when he gets home, I’m going to die. I had hope for cats and a condo, but it looks like the bullet won. Tears fall again and I can’t stop them. My throat hurts so badly and crying doesn’t help, but my world is so fucked up right now.
I wash my face, dunk under the water, come back up and wash my hair.
I’m on autopilot again. Wash, dry, dress, brush my hair, braid it, and sit in the window.
The soup is on the coffee table, but I can only handle drinking the tea.
I take a sip as I watch the storm move on.
The ground is wet and heavy with rain and the pool cover reflects the pot lights as they turn on for the night.
I need to text Anna. I can’t wait for Helen. I set my cup down on my seat and go to my closet, close the door behind me, go to the farthest corner, sit on the floor, and open the phone. There is only one number.
Izzy: 911. Need out. Imminent death. No joke.
Anna: What the fuck? Truck will be there tomorrow. Get to the garden at 1:00 pm.
Izzy: Will be there. Thx Anna, Love you.
The tears won’t stop, damn it, and my throat hurts. God, I’m such a fool for not leaving when I first decided.
Anna: F.Y. I. I will kill that motherfucker. Tomorrow at one. <3
I get up, go to the bedroom door, and open it. Sasha is standing in her usual spot. I hold up one finger, go to my studio and grab my chair, taking it to the door. I drag it through and set it in the hall beside my door.
She smiles, “Thanks. I’m not leaving you tonight, okay, so try to get some sleep. They are gone till the weekend, so you’re safe, okay?”
I smile and grab her hand and close the door and go to the couch. My blanket has coffee stains on it, but I don’t care. I crawl in and lay down.
Sleep Izzy, sleep and try to forget.
~ ~ ~
I fight, I fight as hard as I can, but I can’t get air. Clawing at my neck, but no matter what I do, I can’t draw air into my lungs or break away from the hand squeezing my life from me. I try to scream, and the pain in my throat jolts me awake.
I sit straight up, holding my neck, tears running down my cheeks. My body is covered in sweat and a chill runs down my back from the frigid air, hitting my sweat cover t-shirt. I look around the room in a panic.
“He’s not here.” Danny’s voice from the door makes me jump. I gather the blanket to my chest.
Danny steps in and comes to the coffee table. He sets my breakfast on the table and looks me over. Then he looks at my neck, his eyes narrow and his lips turn into a white line.
“I’m on day shift. I’ll be standing right outside the door. Eat.” He turns to leave, pointing to the tray. I leap up and grab his hand, but he shakes it off as if I’m some stranger he doesn’t know and doesn’t want to touch. It stings. Anna absolutely loves him, and he now despises me.
I hold my finger up and run to the desk, digging for a pen and scrap of paper. I write quickly.
May I read by the pool today?
He reads it, looks at me in disgust. “I’ll ask.”
Fuck!
I plop on the couch and lift the lid off my breakfast. Rose made cream of wheat, a bit of cream and brown sugar off to the side, and a huge coffee. I smile. Sasha must have told her my throat was sore, soft foods easy to swallow. I eat right where I am. I need food today of all days.
I finished my breakfast, did my morning routine, only this time I drag my suitcase to the bathroom. I don’t have a big bag like Anna, but I have an idea that might get me the few things I will need.
I flip the lid over and dig out every pair of panties I own and put them on, layer after layer. I can only fit three bras on. Dang it! Next, I layer up my t-shirts and top it off with my giant Harry Potter one. I put on three pairs of leggings and my matching Harry Potter jogging pants.
I stand back and look in the mirror. I look puffy, but not huge and noticeable, just like I’m wearing baggy clothes.
Plus, it’s cool today, so my outfit won’t look out of place.
I zip the lid closed and drag it back to the closet, throwing all three suitcases in and close the door.
I look around the room, not needing to take anything else with me.
I just need clothes and that damn truck.
I pace, my nerves are shot, and my throat is killing me.
Every time I attempt to talk, the pain makes me wince before I can utter a word.
Sweat is pouring down my back because of all my layers, so I go to the window and open it and sit down.
and I keep trying to process what happened and why?
I don’t understand any of it and it breaks my heart.
He said I almost made him fall, that I made him want a life he never knew he wanted.
And it kills me because I felt the same once.
For a moment when he held me, kissed me.
It was something I wanted too. I put my head on my knees and wipe my nose with my sleeve.
I could have loved him and given him all of me.
A few days ago, I wanted that ring he wears to be real.
I hold my hand out and look at the one on my finger. It glistens in the sun, a prism of color glittering off the windowsill. I pull the ring off and look at it. It never meant anything to him, or me. I squeeze it in my hand; the claws digging into my palm.
I get up and go to the desk. I take out a sheet of paper and put words to paper he will never allow me to say. If today is my last day on earth, and even if I make it out of here. These will be my last words to him, and he needs to know, to understand.
The door opens and Danny comes in, puts my lunch tray on the table and I look up at him and cover my letter. He stops by the door, his back to me.
“Be ready soon. You get a few hours by the pool. We have a delivery today, and the boss said you can help set it up since Anna is busy.
I just nod and he leaves. Oh, thank God, oh thank the gods above. I lay my head on the desk and cover my face in my hands. I’m so close I can taste it. My stomach rolls from nerves and I sit up and rub my face with my hands. I can’t be a sissy now.
Focus Izzy.
I fold my letter, take off my ring and stuff it in an envelope; I go to the studio and put it on the easel in front of my painting. The work isn’t completed, but then neither is my story. I left enough of it on canvas; maybe once he opens his eyes, he’ll see what I was trying to say all along.
I go to the bathroom and pee. Who knows how long I’ll be in that box for? I grab my book and stand in front of the door. I try to take a deep breath, but my throat stops me. My heart is beating so fast I feel dizzy.
I shake my shoulders back and open the door; I head out past Danny, who follows me. I make it down the stairs on shaking legs, and go out the back patio doors to my chair; trying to do everything like I always do.
I open my book and start to read. The words are a blur on the page as I try to keep my eyes on my book instead of looking at the cameras.
Rose comes out and sets a tray of cookies and tea down for me.
She smiles and grips my shoulder and I hold her hand briefly and try to keep the tears from falling.
She is so kind. She pats my shoulder one more time and leaves.
Danny comes over and looks at his watch.
“The delivery will be here in 10 minutes. The boss says he wants it to be put there.”
He points to the spot below my window. I close my book and stand up, walking over to where Danny pointed; I walk over to the side of the house and the small forklift will fit in between the house and the tree line.
I walk over to Danny and gesture with my hands, height, and width.
“Fucked if I know. It’s heavy is all he said.”
I nod and go back to my lounge chair and take a sip of tea. My mouth is dry, and my hands are shaking so badly and when I put the cup down it rattles on the saucer. Danny looks me over and turns back to the patio, talking on his phone. He comes back and gestures for me to get up.
“It’s here.”