“I’m trying to have fun with you and all you do is bitch. What the fuck is your problem you stupid whore?”
Sasha cried. “I’m sorry, it’s just-“
She couldn't finish her sentence before he had grabbed a fistful of her hair and yanked her from her seat. The floor came up faster than she expected. Brent straddled her like a horse and bent down into her face. He screamed and yelled directly in her face. She could feel droplets of spittle splash on her cheek and the alcohol on his breath was revolting. Bile began to rise in her throat and she did her best to hold it down.
Sasha wiggled out from under Brent and ran down the hallway. As tears raced down her face, the television remote arced past her head and exploded against the wall. She dove into the bathroom and locked the door behind her.
He banged and pounded on the door, demanding she open it immediately. She sat down on the toilet, stuffed her face in her hands, and cried. Her biggest fear was Brent busting down the door to get to her. She would not have been surprised if he had.
"Go away or I'm calling the police" she screamed. It only worked to anger him more. He kicked the bathroom door and yelled the most obscene names she had ever heard. Finally, Sasha had had enough. She pulled out her cell phone and dialed.
The emergency operator quickly recognized the terror in her voice and helped calm her down. "Take a deep breath, explain the situation to me."
Sasha did her best to explain the night's events. Saying them aloud to another person made the event seem foolish. All this anger over something so simple. How could this really be happening? Now, she was afraid he would cause her bodily harm because of a simple request of silence and peace.
"Ma'am, where are you now?"
"I'm in the bathroom."
"Can he get in?"
"I don't think so."
"Ok, good. Just stay there. I have an officer on his way to your location now."
"What about my daughter? She's in her bedroom. What if he hurts her?"
"Is he mad at you or your daughter?"
"Me."
"Then he's not going to hurt her. The best thing you can do is stay where you are. An officer will be there shortly."
The operator had been correct. Less than five minutes later a patrol car had pulled into their driveway and the officer approached the front door. Sasha could hear Brent try to keep his composure as he answered the door and acted confused and surprised. From the bathroom, Sasha heard the officer call out for her. Quickly, she stepped out of the bathroom and approached the officer.
"Ma'am, are you OK?" He asked as she walked into the living room. She could feel his eyes fall on her cheek. Clearly, the mark was still visible. But Sasha remained silent and only nodded. With the police there, she felt foolish. Having them there was now only serving to embarrass her. She remembered wishing to take it all back. He would have calmed down on his own eventually.
“Mind if I talk to you outside for a moment, alone.” The cop looked at Brent after uttering the last word as if to accentuate his point. Don't even try to follow us, his tone said.
Sasha nodded and stepped past Brent nervously. There was a deep anger in his eyes. Of course, he had turned his head away from the officer to hide his glare. She would pay dearly for this later and she knew it. It had been a mistake. Once outside, the officer said, “Did he do that to you?”
“Yes, but it was an accident.”
“Ma’am, I’ve heard that excuse many times in my career. Never is it true. You can press charges, you know. We can take him in tonight and this can all be over.”
Sasha shook her head. “Can we just take him somewhere for the night? He’ll be better tomorrow, I know it. He just needs to cool off.”
The officer let out a sigh and watched Sasha intently. It was obvious he wanted her to press charges. She could almost feel him begging her to do so. But she couldn’t bring herself to do it. To be honest, she was scared. Everything would change if he was hauled off to jail and that frightened her. Brent may have been a jackass, an alcoholic, and an abuser, but he provided. Sasha had not spent much time on her own and couldn't do much for herself. Without him, she would be lost. Somewhere in her subconscious, she knew Brent had molded her this way on purpose, though she would never admit it. Though, it didn't matter. He would get better one day. She had to believe he would. Things were tough right now, that was all. Money was tight. He was in line for a promotion at work. Once he got it, everything would improve.
“Are you sure? You really don’t have to stand for this. We can process him and take care of all of this tonight.”
Sasha shook her head again and tears rolled down her cheeks. “Please, just take him somewhere for the night. We’ll be alright.”
His eyes dropped and the corners of his mouth curled with disappointment. He stepped back inside and instructed Brent to gather whatever belongings he needed. “If you have a place you can stay, I’ll take you there. You’re going to sleep this off. Understand?”
Brent nodded but Sasha could tell he was already plotting. There was a familiar and sinister look in his eyes. She would obey his every command when he got home. She would have to. This was all her fault, or so she felt. If only she had not been so stupid
