Small Glimpse of Hope

That weekend, Geoff and I drove to visit my mom in the countryside. I tried to discourage him from accompanying me many times but it didn't work.

"I haven't spent time with my mom for a long time and I want us to have our own time. I haven't visited her since we got married and I miss being taken care of by her." I remember telling Geoff but his answer was a simple "we will spend time with her together." I even tried pretending to be angry at him but it didn't stop him from accompanying me. I don't know why really wants to visit my mom with me. I hope he is not suspicious of my plan to escape from him. Actually I just wanted to talk to my mom and tell her everything. I wanted to feel that I have someone I can rely on and that person would only be my mom but with Geoff around, I'm sure I won't be able to do that.

"Do you want us to have a vacation with your mom? We can go to a resort or overseas if you want to. Just tell me and I will prepare everything for you." Geoff said while he is driving. He insisted to drive by himself. Michael usually goes with him everywhere he goes but this time, he said he prefers to drive on his own which makes me suspicious. I wonder what he is thinking.

Since my mom's place is a couple of hours drive from the city, we had to stop in gasoline shops many times for me to go to the bathroom. Being pregnant makes want to pee almost every hour. Luckily, Geoff never complains every time I tell him to stop somewhere.

When we arrived my mom's place, she hugged me immediately. Geoff was just standing behind me with our bags in his hands.

"Are you okay? You look so pale." My mom said.

"Good morning mom." Geoff said. "She has been pale since the beginning of her pregnancy but her doctor said it is just normal for her as long as she doesn't feel dizzy."

I wonder where he got that information. He never joined me whenever I visit my doctor for a check-up and we never talked about what the doctor said. Now, I get it, he is pretending to be a responsible husband!

"Jez became very sensitive these days and she cried many times in the past months. I feel sorry for her because I can't do anything to make her feel better." He continued.

What a jerk!

"Now, I understand. She called me four days ago and she was crying.""

"Mom!" I tried to stop her. She might say something which can make Geoff be suspicious of me."

"I feel relieved now." My mom said with a sign of relief on her face. She looks happy to see me and of course Geoff.

Mom prepared a lot for lunch which makes me want to stay with her more. I can't remember her cooking as much as she had now when I was young since she was so busy with her work. It is only when she retired that she had the time to prepare delicious dishes.

Geoff seems so hungry while we were eating. He tried all the dishes on the table and he complimented everything that he eats.

"This fish tastes really fresh. In the city, it is quite difficult to eat this kind of fish."

"The soup is really appetizing. What ingredient have you used here?"

"I wish my mom had the ability to cook such a delicious pork dish as this one."

Of course my mom looks so pleased to see him enjoying the food. I couldn't help but admire his acting skills. I'm sure he already tried all the delicious dishes someone can imagine. He already visited a lot of countries and this kind of food is nothing compared to the ones they prepared in big hotels where he has gone to. After eating, he even volunteered to wash the dishes and since my mom knows that he is not used to doing this, she asked me to do it instead.

So this is his plan. He wants to show my mom that there is no problem in our marriage. He wants to show that I'm being taken care of and that my mom doesn't need to worry about me. How clever! I feel more angry at him. He is so cunning. How could I fall in love with such a man? I can hear my mom and him laughing at something while I do the dishes.

When I came back to the living room, Geoff and my mom were looking at some of my pictures when I was young. Looking at them brought back so many memories. Some are good but most of them are experiences I just want to forget completely.

Looking around the house, it is too obvious that it is different from how it looked like the last time I visited here. New furniture and appliances are everywhere. The walls are also newly painted and the roof has been renovated. He really gave my mom a lot of gifts. With all of these, I guess it would be difficult for me to tell my mom about my plan. I'm sure she wouldn't allow me to be separated from him. My chances of getting her help is now slowly disappearing which makes me feel more depressed and scared.

Geoff decided to bring me and my mom to a famous hotel restaurant for dinner. They look very happy the whole time. I was quiet and was thinking of what to do next and I'm sure they wouldn't notice if I leave here. Is she really my mom?

After dinner, Geoff wanted to go somewhere but I pretended to be dizzy so he decided to just stay the rest of the night in my mom's place. I went to bed earlier while he any my mom have a chat for I don't know how long. I feel more and more hopeless as days pass by. I will be 5 months pregnant next week which means I only have less than 4 months to escape from this kind of life. What should I do?

The next morning, Geoff and I said goodbye to my mom early. Geoff said he has an urgent meeting and we have to go back to the city as soon as possible. I know he just wants to spend his time with Erica.

"Can I stay here even for a night?" I begged him many times. I thought it would be a good chance for me and my mom to talk I also don't want to be tired and it is always useless to have any argument with him.

I pretended to sleep while travelling. I saw him talking with someone on the phone when we stop for bathroom breaks. I'm sure he is talking with Erica and he can't wait to see her.

When we arrived home, he left immediately without even going down from his car. He just drop my by in front of the house and left. What a good husband he is!

The whole day I was tense and kept looking at my phone. This will be my last option and I hope it works. I didn't receive any message nor a call.

After dinner, my phone finally beeped. I opened the message immediately to check who the sender is. It's from my mom.

I uttered a short prayer before opening the message. I hope it contains the message I was hoping for.

"I believe you, Jez and I can't imagine how these people make you suffer. I will help you. We are in this together. I'm sorry that I didn't notice it sooner."

Tears burst out from my eyes after reading her message. I feel happy and relieved that finally I was able to share my feelings and sufferings to someone. I left five-page letter for my mom which I hid in the drawer in the bedroom where I and Geoff stayed last night. I was worried the whole day that she couldn't see it. Finally, I can still see a small glimpse of hope that I can escape from this situation.