Identity Theft

Written for https://weeklyprompts.wordpress.com/?p=13858&preview=true

Her identity in crisis, Sally couldn’t face the woman in the mirror. A crack, in the corner, and it was like her heart had been smashed in two. He said, he was sorry. It wouldn’t happen again. She wanted to believe him; needed to believe the kind, sweet, caring man would always keep her safe.

She touched the blood against her temple, allowing her hand to stop.

As he walked back in the room, carrying the first aid kit, she tensed. Practicing the smile first, she turned around to face him. He was looking so crestfallen, like he had broken the worst commandment ever.

‘Sit on the bed love, and I’ll clean you up.’

Hands, that nearly choked the life out of her minutes before, were so gentle. Carefully he wiped the wound clean. She stared up at him, not sure if words would be enough. He was silent throughout. It was like he was ashamed of the man he had become.

What caused the row in the first place? She was only three minutes late; the traffic was bad because of the heavy rain. Her explanation couldn’t have been good enough. Steve was a born worrier, that was all.

‘I didn’t mean to get angry,’ he finally said. ‘You do know that Tabs, it is just when you are late, it makes me think something has happened to you. You don’t understand, when you don’t ring me I worry even more.’

Tabitha was about to say, it was impossible to call – she was driving the car and couldn’t. ‘I’m sorry I worried you,’ she said, reaching out for him. ‘We’re okay though, aren’t we?’

‘Yes, although I think it is best we cancel the dinner tonight, we don’t want our friends getting the wrong idea. I’ll get take-out and we’ll have that bottle of wine in the fridge.’

A quick nod, perhaps a night in would help. They had been rushing about of late. They were both busy in university with exams. The stress wasn’t helping their relationship. He was scared he might fail his finals. Being a doctor was his dream, hers too.

‘I fancy a Chinese anyway, and we could curl up on the sofa,’ she said.

As he walked out of the bedroom, she faced her reflection once more. This wasn’t the first time he lost his temper, but she hoped it would be the last.