Chapter 4: Freedom Hymn

"How was work".

Ricky struggles to answer the question, but he isn't scared of me. Realizing who I was again, he stops fumbling and looks up with a poker face. "It was like the rest of the week".

I sit quiet for a bit and speak again. "Mhm. Did you get an early break or did you rush out for a drink?". I wanted to say more like, "Is this an everyday thing?". "Is this why your paycheck got smaller; because you decided to skip work and get drinks?". "DO YOU EVEN HAVE A JOB STILL??". But, I know my limits, so I held my tongue.

"I don't know what you're talking about.".

I begin to retaliate, but before the words could come out of my mouth, Ricky's phone rings. Being he always has his phone muted or on vibrate, and never gets calls this late at night, I ask who it is. Ricky brushes it off and puts the phone in his pocket. It rings again and again, convincing him to answer the call.

"Hello?".

"I uh- oh. Hehe, now isn't a good time"

"No, no I'm not pushing you away Danielle-".

He pauses and looks at me. "Who the fuck is Danielle", I think to myself. He slowly turns his back on me thinking I won't notice and starts whispering into the phone while giving me the "hold on I'm on the phone" finger. I get up and stand by him to listen in. The closer I got the more clear the phone call was. I stopped coming close and stood still in shock once I heard clusters of "Earlier was great, baby" and "Let's do it again tomorrow?". The funny thing was, when Ricky realized I caught on to what had happened earlier, he didnt even care that I was listening anymore, and continued to talk to the hoe like I wasn't there.

"Yeah, we will definitely do it again tomor-".

"Now? Hells yeah I'll come"

I drown the rest of the conversation out and sit down with a blank look. I have no words. I can't belive the man I've been putting up with for two years has been cheating on me the whole time. But, at the same time, I found myself smiling. I hear the dial tone of him hanging up and he grabs his coat and keys. Unexpected from me I say, "Have fun". He stands there confused for a millisecond, but when he snaps back to reality, he spits in my face and scoffs. "Fuck you, bitch".

I just sit there smiling. He must think I'm crazy. I wait as he closes the door and drives off. When I say I felt ten pounds lighter, I mean it. I washed up and grabbed my suitcases and handbags and filled them with clothes and food and sanitaries. I put my luggage in the bed of my truck and threw a tarp over it. I put our- MY cat Sapphire in her tote and packed her some food. All the while I humm for the freedom permits no disruption or "Shut the fuck up". I put the key in the ignition, but before I turn it I go back inside and wrote a note for Ricky when he returns:

Why have I settled with you all this time? What in my right mind made me continue to put up with your bullshit? I could've easily walked out and never looked back. Now that I finally have the chance, I'm taking it. I don't want you to call me or text me or try to track me down. I hope all is well for you. I love you. God bless.

- Asia