Struggle For Control

Four years earlier…

Amy Rainey
walked through the front door of her “perfect” home.yes"> She had a broad smile on her face, as she returned from a weekend
with Ted – a weekend that she thought was a secret from Mort.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> They had gone to Amish country to shop for
antiques. Originally, Amy asked Mort to
go with her, but he acted strangely and turned her down.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> She made sure that she held no telltale
signs of her affaiforefore retuning home.

She walked
into the kitchen and set her purse down on the table – it was then that she
noticed the large, and very empty, Jack Daniels bottle on the counter.

“Shit,” she
said to herself. “I hope he’s sleeping
it off already.” She walked to Mort’s
office, but he wasn’t there. She sighed.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> “Sleeping…I’d better not complain.”style="mso-spacerun: yes"> Cautiously, she made her way upstairs.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> Mort never laid a hand on Amy while
intoxicated, but he was known to occasionally break things or destroy
any paperwork within his reach.

The bedroom
door was cracked open a bit and Amy peeked inside – Mort wasn’t sleeping.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> She pushed the door open the rest of the way
and saw Chico sitting on the bed, his clouded eyes seemed almost sad.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> She looked to her left and saw an open
suitcase filled with Mort’s clothes.

“Mort?” she
called, worry in her voice.

Mort walked
out from their bathroom, a bag of toiletries in hand. “What?”

“What are
you doing?”

“I think
it’s fairly obvious that I’m packing,” he said, his voice cold.

“You’re
drunk,” Amy said accusingly.

Mort shook
his head. “I’m acting pretty sober,
don’t you think?”

“I saw the
bottle, Mort.”

Without
looking at his wife, he replied, “I dumped the shit down the sink.”style="mso-spacerun: yes"> Amy was genuinely shocked.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> “I decided that I need to straighten some
things out, Amy, drinkis ons one of them.”

“Oh?”

“I don’t
like feeling upset – drinking like that makes me upset.”style="mso-spacerun: yes"> He opened a drawer and grabbed a few more
shirts, throwing them into the suitcase.

“O.K., so
you’re sober. Why are you packing?”

“Forgot to
mention that part, did I?” Mort began
to rummage in the bottom of the closet for his shoes. “Well, you see, Amy, years ago, I made a vow to you – believe it
or not, you made a few yourself.” Amy’s
eyes widened. Mort looked up and glared
at her. “I know, Amy.”

Amy forced
a smile. “You know what, Mort?”

Mort
groaned. “I know about your
affair!” Amy stepped back, tears in her
eyes. “Do you think I’m brainless?style="mso-spacerun: yes"> Did you think that I wouldn’t find out?”

“Mort, I…”

“No, Amy, I
don’t want to hear a word out of your mouth.
I’m tired of wasting my life with you.”

“Wasting?”

“You keep
telling me that I’m not here for you!
Well maybe that’s because every time I’ve tried to touch you since we
lost the baby, you’ve turned over and pretended to be asleep!style="mso-spacerun: yes"> Why can Ted touch you?”

Amy leaned
against the doorway, tears now flowing down her face. “You…you write all the time…you…”

“How do you
think I paid for this house? Writing is
my job, Amy, and since I’ve nothing else to do…”

“I…” style="mso-spacerun: yes"> Amy couldn’t find the words, or maybe she
didn’t want to. Mort knew now, she
didn’t have to hide it from him.

Mort’s
voice softened. “I loved you and gave
you everything. I’ve tried with you and
you still don’t think it’s enough. You
went to another man – maybe he’ll have better luck with you…he seems to be
having it already.” Amy slapped Mort’s
face. It stung, but he didn’t
flinch. “I had the papers drawn up last
week. I signed them and they’re living
room.”

“Just like
that?” Amy asked softly.

“Thank God
for prenups, huh?” Mort shut his
suitcase. “I’m sending for the rest of
my things. Enjoy the house.”

“Where are
you going to go? The cabin?”

“Me…living
alone in the woods…in a house I used to share with you…not the healthiest thing
to do, is it?” Mort walked toward the
door. “Don’t worry about where I’m
going, Amy. Believe me, I won’t be
giving another thought to you.” He put
down the suitcase and walked back in the room.
Amy expected an apology, but instead, Mort gave Chico a final pet on the
head. He then left, walking out of
Amy’s life forever.

Present Day…

“Daddy!”style="mso-spacerun: yes"> Julia toddles toward Mort in the lush
backyard. He smiles and picks her up,
hugging her. He kisses the top of her
head before taking her inside.

Mort walks
through the sliding door into the kitchen, where Alex is making dinner.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> “Excuse me, ma’am, but I found the sweetest
little girl in your back yard.”

“Is that so?” Alex laughs.

Mort laughs in return, then quickly
turns a bit more serious. “Baby, are
you sure it’s O.K. to be on your feet as much as you are?”

Alex smiles
at Mort, her hand on her swollen stomach.
“I have done this before you know,” she says playfully.style="mso-spacerun: yes">

 >

“I know,” Mort says sweetly.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> “I wasn’t here for that one though.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> I’m new at this, remember?”

She walks to him and kisses him
sweetly. “Can you do me a favor?”

“Will you
sit for a minute?”

“O.K.”style="mso-spacerun: yes"> Alex sits in the chair across from
Mort. “I ran out of milk,” she says,
giving him puppy dog eyes.

“You should
save that look for when you really need it,” he teases.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> He looks at Julia, who is still in his
arms. “Wanna go for a ride with
Daddy?” Julia doesn’t fully understand
the question, but giggles at Mort.
“I’ll take that as a yes.” Mort
gets up and kisses the top of Alex’s head.
“Rest a few minutes?”

She
smiles. “Promise.”

Mort leaves
the house through the front door, closing it gently behind him.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> The brass doorknocker held big bold letters
that say “Rainey.”

This is my beautiful house.
That is my beautiful wife. This
is the life I was meant for…

~The End~

***

Author’s Note: style="mso-spacerun: yes"> Well, there you have it – a happy
ending. I couldn’t not have a happy
ending, Mort deserved it. Thanks for
all of the support – can I get one last review? Pretty please?