Asp

Written for https://lindaghill.com/2023/07/21/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-july-22-2023/

The PSA spa was the first place she wanted to retreat to after her divorce. She had taken so much from her husband, from that first night, when he spent most of her wedding night drunk to three years in, and his angry fists pounding into her fragile skin. He was like an asp, sucking out all the happiness, and replacing it with a poison she hadn’t recognised was killing her slowly.

She allowed the bubbles to soak into her skin; this treat from her best friend, wouldn’t erase the marriage, but at least it would give her some hope. What would happen next? The divorce papers needed to be signed, and Terry said it was the best place to sign them.

‘What if I am making a big mistake?’ she asked

‘No mistake, the way he treated you, isn’t acceptable.’

‘He says he has stopped drinking, and we could try again.’

Terry put her arm around trembling shoulders, her bruise turned yellow against the clear water. ‘No, because what about the last time he quit drinking. You took him back, and he let you down again. This is just a ruse on his part.’

‘How will I do this on my own?’

‘You will, because you are the strongest person I know. Sign the papers, then you can live again. Only this time, you can be yourself. Brave, brilliant, and the best friend I have ever known.’

Her best friend was right, and a few hours later the divorce papers were signed. It was difficult, but she deserved better than living in fear.