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CHAPTER 7
Sam
A fight is ensuing outside of my car, and I’m frozen in my seat. I’m not a woman to sit beside violence, but the man I love and the man trying to hurt us are throwing punches outside. I’m not strong enough to take on Peter, and I know that Chris will handle it. But I’ve never felt soimmovable. So unhelpful. Just stuck watching them push each other around.
I know this must be hard for Chris. He doesn’t enjoy any kind of violence. But secretly, I hope he’s enjoying it as much as he can. Because Peter is coming at him, Chris has a chance to use self-defense.
I watch him push Peter away, trying to get him to leave and stop fighting. But he doesn’t. Peter lands another punch into Chris’ side, then his shoulder, then his back. He’s ripping into him. And finally, Chris brings a fist up into Peter’s stomach and makes him keel over in pain. Again, Chris’ fist makes contact, but this time with Peter’s face.
He drops in pain. Blood is gushing from his nose, even as he holds it. Peter finally yells, “I can’t believe you just did that! What the hell! You’re gonna pay for this! You and Sam and her daddy, too!”
I watch him slink away without a second glance at either of us. Clearly out of breath, Chris makes his way up to my window, still cracked from my talk with Peter. “Are you okay? Sam, are you alright?”
“Yes, yes. Of course. Are you okay? What just happened? I couldn’t… I’m so sorry.”
“Call the police, we need to file a report.”
I quickly get out my phone and dial 911. The woman on the other end asks an insane amount of questions before dispatching police to the scene. While we wait for them to arrive, Chris and I come up with a plan.
We know that some of the police know what’s happening to the company. But they have no idea that Peter may be involved. We weigh the risks of telling them and decide not to let them know everything we know.
After being interviewed individually, the two officers say they’ll put an alert out looking for Peter. I don’t think they’re going to find him anytime soon. He’s a snake. He gets into small cracks and crevices and waits there until he’s ready to strike. And since he knows we’ll report it, he’ll be hidden well, waiting for his moment.
As we watch the cops get back into their squad car and drive away, I finally get a good look at Chris. His knuckles on his right hand are battered. Three of them are bloody and his whole hand is red. He leans against my car, on the side Peter hit him. He refused to go to any doctor, he’ll fix himself up. It’s all exterior wounds anyways. There were only a few good punches, or so he’s reassured me.
“Are you sure you’re okay? You can tell me if we need to go to the hospital or anything. I can take you there right now if you need me to.”
He sighs. “Please. It’s just a few bruises and some beat-up knuckles. I’ll be alright.”
I want to hold him. I want to feel him in my arms and know that we’re both safe. But I know it’s possible someone can see us. I let my hand graze his arm. “So, I’ll see you tomorrow. Are you positive that you’ll be safe on your own tonight?”
As disappointed as I am to not be heading to Chris’ house, I know it’s the right thing to do. He’s hurting, he’s worried about Peter following us to his place and finding out the truth. He’s worried the police will show up with Peter behind them, asking if it’s the right man. It’s too risky.
“I promise. I’ll be okay. I have the best security system in the world. And I’ll call you tonight, okay? I just want you to stay safe.”
I nod. “I know.”
So many things are left unsaid. I can’t tell him that I love him, that I want to be with him tonight, that I so badly want to kiss his scars. But instead of reassuring him, I get into my car to go home to my father. Another night without the warmth of Chris’ body against mine.
I watch as he stumbles into his own car. Putting blame on myself isn’t going to solve anything, but that’s what I do. I should have never dated Peter. I shouldn’t have trusted him. I should have driven over him if that’s what it took to get away. Chris shouldn’t have to face the consequences of my past. It’s unfair. It’s cruel. I want it to stop.
Chris
My body pulses as my sore muscles ache for some kind of relief. My hot tub is the only place in the world I want to be. It’s hard to get off my shirt, as I can’t lift my arm too high, or I feel like my body will break in two.
As I finally pull my white button-down shirt off, a glimpse of color catches my eye. A bruise, going up and down my side threatens to tear me apart. I know that hot water can be bad for bruising, so instead, I go to grab an ice pack and wrap it around my torso. It’s shocking at first, but it finally numbs the pain.
I go back to my hot tub and shove my legs into the comfort. It melts away my aching calves. I didn’t think a fight would take this much out of me, but I am at least ten years older than Peter. I’m proud of how well I stood up against him. I was sure I was going to get beat up.
But I remember her face as she tried to talk Peter down. I remember how terrified she looked of him. Sam’s eyes were wide with horror as she clearly didn’t know what to do.
I don’t know what they said to each other, but I know her face when she’s worried. I can tell by the wrinkles in the corner of her eye when she can’t stand to talk anymore. When she’s on the verge of breaking down.
There was no way I was going to let her sit like that. I wasn’t going to let Peter get to her. I stood up to him. I needed to protect her. Everything I thought about earlier today was lost to me. I didn’t care if people found out I was fighting for a woman much younger than me. I didn’t care if Don saw how I looked at her while she desperately tried to remain calm.
I just wanted her to know that I was there. That I would protect her from this idiotic man-child who seemingly can’t take no for an answer.
Warmth fills me as I get the relief I so desperately crave. I can’t feel my side any longer and my muscles have released their tension. I finally feel free.
I wonder if Peter will end up back at work tomorrow. Would he give himself away that easily? Surely he has to know that he’s fired at this point? I would love to be there when they tell him I’m pressing charges. I’ll do anything to make sure he can’t get to Sam again.
I never thought I would end up in a fist fight. Peter just brings that out of me. That side where I resort to breaking his nose to make sure he leaves us alone. The sad part is, that it felt good. It felt like I was able to let go. So maybe I should be thanking him, for giving me the opportunity to give to him what I’ve wanted all along. To give him a swift punch to the face.
I wouldn’t condone it to anyone else. But to the man who causes so much pain to the woman I love; I would gladly do it again.
What would my congregation think if they knew I took pleasurein beating up this man? Would they see me differently if they saw I’d caused someone harm? I’m worried they may find out. Especially if I’m pressing charges. There’s got to be some news article or prayer group gossip to tell everyone what I’ve done.
But tonight, I pray this all goes away. These all go away and I’m left with Sam. I can’t help being in love with this woman. The woman who makes it all worth it. Even a punch to the gut.
