The next morning was a Saturday and things were back to normal with Patrick making her breakfast in bed. He kept apologising and made her remember that he loved her. She used makeup to cover the blue eye she had from the slap when he took her shopping. She soon forgot the incident because she didn’t want to lose him but hoped it wouldn’t happen again.
Monday came so fast that she was feeling all the pains of the battering, but she had to go to work. She dragged her feet slowly to the office and was surprised to see Roy.
“I saw your missed calls. Why were you calling so late in the night on Friday?” Roy asked.
“Oh, I was missing you and just wanted to chat.”
“I am so sorry, but I really miss you too Cherry,” he said standing by the door.
Cherry smiled and walked towards him and hugged him. He held her tightly, then she felt pain in her belly. She pushed him aside.
“Are you OK?” he asked worriedly.
Cherry was uncomfortable as she sat on the chair. She pretended to smile but Roy didn’t seem to buy it.
“Are you sick?” he asked.
She shook her head and smiled. “I am just feeling bad, I am also in the wrong. I miss you,” she said motioning with her hand.
He came closer and held hands. Roy sat on the chair while she typed on her laptop.
“Cherry, there is something you must know about Patrick,” he said slowly.
“Tell me,” she said, with her focus on paperwork.
“Patrick is an abuser.”
Cherry didn’t look up but focused on her work. She did hear him but she had to pretend that she never heard him.
Roy beat the table to gain her attention.
“Did you hear me? Damnit, the man killed someone,” he said gently, trying to keep his voice low.
“Roy, stop it. That was a mistake and Patrick has changed.” She lied, trying not to show her shock. “I am swamped with work, can we do this another time?” she said calmly.
“OK, take care,” he said and walked out the office.
She covered her face with her hands in tears and cried silently. What if Roy was being true? She thought about it all day, until Patrick visited her and brought her lunch. He showed remorse that he was still feeling guilty about what happened. He kissed her cheeks and left.
Cherry thought Roy’s finding were not true. There is no way Patrick could be a killer. There must be some mistake.
Two days passed and Patrick seemed to love her more. Every relationship had its up and downs and things seemed to go as Cherry wished. She learned a lot about Patrick, since her move he always prepared breakfast for her and sometimes dinner. He cooked and set the table with candles.
One day, after a long day at work, Cherry decided to treat Patrick to a lamb stew and dumplings. He came home in a foul mood. She tried to welcome him by kissing him but he pushed her away.
“Baby, are you OK?” she said confused.
He didn’t seem to hear her but grumbled on the couch. She walked towards him.
“I made your favourite, dumplings, but we’ll eat them with lamb stew if it’s OK?” she said calmly, trying not to pressure him.
“You are talking about food?” he hissed, getting up and standing.
He clapped her. She held the painful side of her cheek, confused and wondering if she did anything wrong. He walked to the bedroom angrily. Cherry cried silently. She wanted to eat but the hunger disappeared in her stomach, her appetite was lost. She sat for a quiet time, thinking about what angered Patrick. Could it be the food or something else?
What had she done!
***
Tell us: What would you do if you were in Cherry’s shoes? Should she blame herself for Patrick’s mood?