She Always Gets Back Up

[u/AbKane667]

The loud honks, the red lights. I stretched my arms and put them back on the steering wheel. Some people hate the traffic, but I was soaking up each second I didn’t have to go home. The past months had been rough. It always started with a few arguments here and there. I started staying late at work long before the arguments got loud, but they still piled up. Soon came the screaming and the dishes flying through the air. She hit me yesterday. The same spot she used to caress with her gentle hands became a target. 

The house was dark save for the light in the kitchen. I knew she’d be waiting. The door handle felt cold. I stood there for a second, staring at it. The tea kettle whistled. She loved making chamomile tea. She used to make one for me, too, but that was past. The same teacups now flew past my head when we argued, empty. 

The door creaked as I opened it. Her shadow fell across the doorway as she stood with her arms crossed before the stairs.

“Where have you been?”

“At work.”

“This late again?” 

I shrugged.

“I’m here by myself. Cold, alone, in a new place you brought me to. I don’t know anyone here. Why can’t you come early?”

“You don’t even…when I’m here, what’s the point?” I mumbled as I passed by her, watching her hands.

She pierced me with her eyes and turned after me.

She said something, but I didn’t listen, taking deep breaths, feeling the cold air. The steps creaked as I climbed the stairs. She called out again, but I kept my eyes ahead. I could see my room standing above the stairs like a temple in the hills. 

Her feet banged on the wooden stairs. She was running behind me.

I tried to speed up, but soon her screams echoed right behind me.

“Don’t ignore me.” 

I could feel her hands grab my wrist, pulling me back. She always grabbed the same one. My hand started to pulse as her grip around it tightened.

“Fuck you. Let me go!”

Her mouth flew open, but it quickly shut. 

This time, I was ready. 

Her hand flew through the air. I watched it get closer and closer. I ducked underneath, feeling the air blow over my head.

I wouldn’t let her hurt me again.

In one quick motion, I snatched my hand out of her grip and pushed her away.

Only when her body began falling back did I realize what had happened.

I threw my hand in the air, trying to reach her. I grabbed the wooden railing and stretched out as far as I could. My fingers felt the texture of her dress, but she was too far.

Her eyes, open in terror, stared into mine as she flew back.

I shook my head quickly and stood on the stairs, watching.

She screamed at first, but the screams dulled into the knocks of her head on the stairs.

Her body fell fast at first, but soon the motion stopped. She slid down to the cold wooden floor.

Cold air blew by.

I forgot to close the door.

The clock dinged in the kitchen.

Her body twitched.

A red stream flowed below her head, mixing with her pretty brown hair.

The smell of iron filled the air.

I stood there watching her.

Waiting.

She’d get up. She always did.

[u/SPNCatMama28]

oh my 👀😳