I often wondered if I played a part in her death. I didn’t know he was abusive; I did know they were together and shared a child.
When both of our black sports cars met at a red light, I gave him my number after he yelled across the white line and asked for it. No big deal: he calls me, I call her, we all meet. She’ll realize what a creeper he is, freeing herself from a life of infidelity; my foolish young thoughts.
She showed up with the baby, he showed up minutes later….. unexpectedly with a gun. He demanded his child, I demanded she give her to him…. sparing my own life, I suppose. He left with the baby, she sat on my sofa weeping. I didn’t know how to comfort her, crying it out was her best option.
I didn’t speak to either of them again, lost track of their where abouts, heard rumors they married and had another child, all true by the way.
Years later, a breaking news story showed her picture and his. I wouldn’t have recognized them if it weren’t for the large Owl tattoo on his neck, the creature had horns and four legs. Man kills wife, mother-in-law, before turning gun on self.
I hushed the room, turned up the volume and held in my tears when the reporter explained two teens witnessed everything. I went back to preparing Thanksgiving dinner. I felt a little guilty watching my own family laugh and play, my house full of joy.
I learned a long time ago; a person’s heart can’t be persuaded in and out of love by an outsider. I wish the lesson would’ve come sooner.
“Dinner time!” My husband called our kids to the table.
Leesa Writes 