Lies, Lies, Lies ~ Romance Fridays

L'Aussie Writing and Francine at Romancing The Blog provide a story, poem or an excerpt up to 400 words on a chosen theme each week.

This week's theme for Romantic Friday Writers:  Lies, Lies, Lies

This theme didn't exactly put me in a romantic mood, but the scene below kept playing about in my head and had to be written. It's certainly full of angst and heartbreak... Oh and since lies is repeated 3 times in the title theme, I put in 3 lies. Can you spot them?

Intoxicating Lies by Madeleine Maddocks

 Even though Jennie should have been expecting it, the blow came out of nowhere. The familiar sensation  flared through her cheekbone, which now resembled a hot boulder. She’d clutched the kitchen counter to brace her fall.

“Bitch!” her husband’s hot, toxic breath was inches from her face like happy hour at the local nightclub.

She tried not to wrinkle her nose in disgust or he’d hit her again. She tried to remember the love she had once felt for him. The happy times in their three years of marriage. For the way she used to feel when they were together. A void of emotion yawned in answer.

“I saw how you looked at him”

Him was the postman. The kind, handsome Jack, whose smile warmed her aching heart.

“He wouldn’t want you. Nobody would. That’s why I’m stuck with you.” Her husband’s breathy venom curled its way through her nose and into her soul.

She  averted her eyes to avoid provoking him further. Her gaze picked out the brown blood stain on the lino; a Christmas present, when the police and the ambulance had been called.

“I’m sorry” he’d sobbed in the hospital, his eyes darting about madly like some cornered animal. “I’ll never do it again, Jenn, I promise.”

“And the drinking?” she’d asked, her voice barely a whisper, her body bandaged and throbbing.

“I’m done with the drinking too.  I’ll go now. I love you Jenn”

“Me too” Of course it was all lies. How could she love him? How could he love her?

“You won’t ever leave me will you Jenn?” was his parting plea.

“No, of course not” she’d lied.

She watched his bulky frame stagger out of the kitchen as he muttered under his fetid breath. Soon she could hear his snoring coming from the living room and her heart leapt with excited apprehension. She hurried stealthily. Climbing the step-stool she grabbed her most valuable documents from their hiding place: her passport, driver’s licence and Building Society pass book.

Then she stopped again to listen, as though her ears were on stalks. Still snoring. She rushed to the broken chest freezer and pulled out a packed rucksack. Stepping through the back door she hurried into the garden. Liberating her mobile phone from under the shed she climbed the fence.

“Jack” she said, as her phone call was answered, "I’m on my way”.      (397 words)

Just to let you all know I'm taking a blog break,
so I won't be online for a few days.

I plan to return Tues/Weds.
Happy Blogging and thanks for your patience.