Chapter Four #2
“Whatever I do is no longer your concern, TJ. We’re not together and I want nothing to do with you,” I state calmly, my finger never leaving the area where the button is hidden under the counter.
“I can wear what I want, stay where I want, and do whatever the hell I want to. You’ve been doing all of that regardless of whether we're together or not. Now that we’re broken up, I no longer need to give a fuck what you think about my actions. ”
“You really are one stupid bitch, aren’t ya?
” he questions me, stepping back and moving so he’s around the counter with me.
His actions are fast, but I’m just slightly faster as I press the button a few times to ensure it goes off and everyone is alerted.
“First you leave the house. I’m not really pissed about that.
I haven’t had to listen to you bitch and moan about what I do and needing help.
Now, you’ve really pushed me past my fucking limits, Tally.
You’ve not only continuously called the cops on me, but you’ve cut me off financially.
Who gave you the fucking right to take my money away? ”
I can’t help myself. I start laughing my ass off. The pure audacity of this stupid bastard is truly shocking. He’s done absolutely nothing to earn a single penny of money from me. I will be suing him to get it back in full since he’s such an entitled prick.
“The fuck you think is so funny?” he shouts, his rage coming out for the first time in a way that scares the hell out of me.
“What’s funny is you believing a penny of the money you spend is yours.
It’s all my money and you have stolen so much of it from me over the years.
Money I intend to get back before I finish with you.
By the end of the day, you won’t have access to anything of mine any longer.
TJ, you no longer have a place in my life and deserve every fucking horrible thing coming your way.
I plan to press charges against you and get a restraining order to ensure you can never come near me again,” I state, my voice calm and steady as TJ takes slow, menacing steps toward me with his face turning from red to purple as his rage intensifies.
I really shouldn’t be provoking him, but I’m so tired of his bullshit and I just want it to end.
“The only thing you’ll be doing is turning my cards back on, Tally.
I’m done playing this bullshit game you have going on.
You’re gonna come back home tonight and clean the fucking place because that’s your damn job.
It’s a mess and you’ve been slacking. Walls need to be fixed and repainted, the entire house has been trashed, and the garbage is overflowing.
Dishes have stacked up and I don’t think there’s a single one left to use.
I want a hot meal on the table by the time I get back.
For now, you’re gonna give me money. Every fucking penny you have,” TJ says as if he has the right to make demands of me.
“I’m not doing any of that, TJ. You wanna eat, make your own fucking food.
Pick up your garbage and do some fucking dishes.
You’re truly a lazy bitch if you can’t rinse shit off and load it in the dishwasher.
It takes a few seconds for each dish and you’re done.
I won’t be turning back on your cards or giving you any money.
We. Are. Done,” I say very slowly so maybe the words will sink in this time.
I highly doubt it, but I’m willing to try anything at this point just to get rid of him.
“I’m not fucking playing with you, Taleah,” TJ says before lunging at me and grabbing my throat.
His hands are wrapped so tight I can’t get a finger under them to break his hold.
“You’re gonna do every-fucking-thing I’ve said and whatever else I demand in order to make up for the shit you’ve been pulling lately.
You’re not in control here, Taleah. No matter what you believe, I will always be in control of our relationship and everything that happens between us.
You have no power and aren’t better than I am. ”
“I’m better than you in every way,” I struggle to get out as TJ tightens his grip around my neck for several seconds.
It’s long enough to cut off my breath completely.
Black spots fill my vision and I can feel myself starting to pass out.
Fear consumes me because this fucker is ready to kill me in order to get what he wants.
TJ lets go of my neck just before I completely lose consciousness.
I collapse to the floor at his feet, gasping for air as tears fill my eyes and I can’t hold them back this time.
They roll down my face and land on the carpet cradling my body and my arm as it lays at an odd angle beneath me.
TJ doesn’t stop attacking me. He starts kicking and punching as hard as he can.
I can’t even protect my head because one of my arms doesn’t want to work and the rest of me won’t cooperate with the silent commands I’m trying to give myself.
Right now, I’m completely open and vulnerable to TJ’s attack.
I can feel my skin splitting open with each new hit he lands.
While I can’t open my eyes as I still struggle to breathe, I know TJ is no longer using his hands.
He’s grabbed something to add to the damage he’s inflicting on me and the boots he’s wearing today are the steel-toe boots I bought him.
I can’t remain conscious as the pain he’s inflicting takes a toll on me and becomes too overwhelming to deal with.
As the blackness consumes me, the last face I see is my brother Bhodi.