10 Hours of Hell in the Eye of Her Storm

It’s always so beautiful right after the destruction

The front door swung open with gale force and slammed into the wall. The winds kicked up as the massive storm loomed on the horizon. Anna breezed in and shoved her foot against the kick plate to get the lock to catch hold.

I’m home! The clouds are pitch black over the McGregor’s way and will be here any minute. It’s gonna be a doozy. We will hunker down this weekend, for sure, don’t cha think? Maybe it won’t last long. Good thing we don’t need anything.

I love when it’s over, though. It’s always so beautiful right after the destruction.

She whistled a little tune and put her keys in the bowl that sat on the small marble table at the entry. Off came her jacket in one crisp movement. She folded it neatly in half. Her hand mindlessly creased the sleeves flat as she draped it over the chair in the foyer.

Anna had always been a chatterbox. On and on, she recounted her stories of the day. She rarely paused to breathe. All of her sentences bled into each other.

So, Margaret said they got a puppy. We should get a puppy, too. Ed told us all about the addition he’s building. He decided to go with a covered deck off the back. I’m sure it will be beautiful. They have the money to do it right. They’ll have a housewarming, I’m sure of it. Oh, and my boss asked me to cover his trip on Tuesday.

I need to fill in for him so what could I say? It’ll be nice to grab a few days away. I’m sure you’d like the quiet time, too, right?

Dennis held back an eye-roll reaction. When Anna talked at a high rate of speed and went somewhat manic, he knew well enough how to avoid triggering the beast. Just a flip of the switch, one he never knew the location of, resulted in a dramatic swing. The dark Anna was ruthless.

He gave a slight nod of acknowledgment and let her ramble.

It was all he could muster.

The look in his eyes told her everything she suspected, regardless.

She’s seen that vacant look too many times. Anna knew the smell of a relationship gone stale. Men can’t hide when they’ve checked out emotionally. Conversations become one-sided, distraction is evident, and the sex is mechanical.

This road was well-traveled by Anna. The demise always brought a mixture of emotions to her. She felt sadness for the end, which turned quickly to the anticipation of a new discovery she knew was waiting right around the corner. She loved her men. Rarely did she skip a beat in the transition from old to new.

There was always a next one, waiting in the wings.

Even in her most volatile fits, Dennis marveled at her old-world and classic beauty. Her striking hazel eyes, sprinkled with a myriad of brown specks, captivated men and women alike. Until they turned black. He avoided the blackness by tiptoeing around her moods.

With a deep sigh, she pulled her hairband out and let her auburn curls bounce free.

The flash of lightning through the picture window lit up the entire room. It struck within feet of the glass. Even in the pounding heavy rains, the large branch came down with an audible thud. They braced themselves for the thunder guaranteed to follow. It did not disappoint.

The Swarovski crystal hummingbird rattled atop the glass side table.

Dennis stiffened in anticipation for her expected wrath against Mother Nature. To his surprise, Anna slowly walked over to the figurine, cupped it like a wounded bird, and gently placed it in the curio cabinet with the collection.

Something is off.

All of his senses went on high alert.

Anna was notoriously fastidious. Everything had its place. He learned quickly that framed wall paintings would be straightened, pillows fluffed, and trash removed upon discard. She used her hands to iron her pants, or skirt, everything she wore, to smoothness the second she stood up. Imperfections, even momentary wrinkles, were unacceptable.

His eyes followed the back of her head. He dared not make a false move.

Let’s face it, we need to talk. With me out of town next week, there’s no point in dragging this out any longer. We both know the relationship is tired. It probably started all wrong anyway. We just want different things, I suppose. When it was good, it was really good, wasn't it? And, then…

She toyed at the edge of maudlin land. Her voice lowered with her head.

Ah, he thought, how to call it quits has her preoccupied. Please, Dear God, don’t let her sink too low.

She trailed off, snapped her head around with a smile, and switched gears.

You know what? I am going to make dinner for us. It’ll be a nice filet night with béarnaise and green peppercorns. There’s no reason we can’t enjoy this weekend, just like old times, right? Like camping, but inside. No one is going anywhere in these hurricane-like conditions.

Let me get started, and I’ll bring you some wine.

Silly me, you can’t drink.

The storms raged.

Windows rattled, and tree branches slapped against the gutters. The lights flickered on and off and back on again. Her mood oddly remained upbeat. Somehow she caught herself, had pulled back from the dark side, and recovered from her earlier reflections about their lack of a future together.

Heightened panic adjoined by depression usually rose to the forefront with lightning and thunder.

She seemed unaffected tonight.

Usually, he would be proud of her control. But not now.

Her disconnect troubled him with a foreboding.

A pit formed in his stomach, and the acids bubbled up to his throat.

When Anna was upbeat for a long duration, her crash back down came with fury and tears. He preferred equal time for her highs and lows. The swing was less dramatic that way.

He stole glances at her as she ate. Anna’s exaggerated movements felt staged while the fork and knife worked in concert to slice the filet. Slicing, slicing, slicing, until the pile of precut pieces were lined up in a neat row. The smell of seared beef permeated the room. Medium rare was his favorite, too, especially with the peppercorns.

A moment of intimacy overtook her. She raised her glass, slowly winked, and blew him a kiss. The move of long-time lovers. As she took a long swallow of her wine, contentment washed through her.

Not much of her demeanor made sense to Dennis.

You’re so quiet, Dennis. I always prefer the strong, silent types, don’t I? I have a lot to get ready. I have big plans that will have to wait until the morning to share with you. You just relax. I’m going to head in early tonight.

And he sat there in the semi-dark wondering. The storm hit a lull and kicked back up with a vengeance. He wondered what she was thinking, concocting, and which persona would appear in the morning. What plans?

Of course, their time together was over and he fantasized about his freedom. Tomorrow? Sunday? As soon as the storms cleared, so would he. Right?

Sweat beaded on his forehead.

His heart raced with the unknown.

Anna rustled in the closet. She rummaged through the storage, and he recognized the distinct dragging out of the heavy plastic bins. He wondered if she was packing for herself or him. He prayed it was for him. A random bang here and there startled him each time. She worked non-stop and on fumes.

His blood pressure shot through the roof. Fidgety and anxious, his head spun.

He would not sleep tonight.

Neither would Anna.

The winds bellowed and whistled through crevices in the windows. The room went black. A small pop and gone was the glow of the oven clock. Dennis was left with the darkness of his mind. Twisted visions of the unthinkable tortured him. The wait for answers was suffocating. Every nerve ending was on fire, and he knew that he would never really guess, never truly know.

Until he knew.

As the early sunrise peeked through the clouds, it reflected off of the crystal ashtray on the coffee table which caused prisms to dance on the wall. Anna’s bedroom door creaked open.

He filled with dread.

She rounded the corner with wild eyes. Frazzled but focused, she feigned lightness. The storm, her storm, wildly glowed with its own life force. Anna’s tight-lipped smile belied the manufactured lilt in her voice. Those black eyes stared into him and violated his soul.

Warning bells blasted through his brain.

Good morning, love, glad you’re awake. It’s good to start the day early. We have a lot to do. Thankfully, the storm has passed, and some sunlight has fought its way through the clouds.

It’s so beautiful right after the destruction, isn’t it?

Completely naked, she stood in front of him.

His eyes bulged with fear.

Ruing the day he brought handcuffs into their nightly gameplay turned into cursing his need to conquer that tease of a waitress last week. Every bone ached. Anna was strong in her own right and left nothing to chance. The steel chair yielded no give with the tightness of the metal cuffs.

He had learned his lesson and pleaded with his eyes for freedom.

He pulled at his arms, every shoulder muscle flexed, and begged for the once fun restraints to give way, which proved fruitless. The blood was still wet on his raw ankles mocking his lack of success. He ripped open the skin, even more, attempting to deny the entrapment with a valiant effort, to no avail. His bladder emptied. Shame washed over his face as the warmth spread across his loins.

Anna laughed.

Poor baby. I should have known how weak you were.

As she traced her fingers along his lips, and teased his shoulders, arms and thighs, she performed a grotesque mating dance. She lightly nuzzled his neck and teased his ear with gentle bites. Disappointment that he wasn’t aroused didn’t stop her. She straddled the helpless man and gyrated against his lap. Anna rocked, grinding and panting until she exhausted herself.

He did not voice his revulsion.

With her exhaustion came renewed energy.

We could have been something, ya know? I’m sure you regret that little two-bit whore you cozied up to, thinking I would never find out. You created this mess. It’s all your fault. Did you think I’d let you walk all over me, Phillip?

It was then he knew.

Phillip. That son-of-a-bitch beat the crap out of her and went missing late last year.

Dennis silently pleaded for his life.

I deserved more. More love, more respect. More loyalty. I will miss you. The old you. Before you turned on me.

Spittle formed in the corners of her mouth.

You’re no different than the rest.

Cheaters, liars, and pigs.

Bastard.

Now, you’ll know what it’s like to have your heart ripped out, love.

She returned with the shower curtain and laid it across the tile floor. The large bin fit on one end. She returned, still naked, swinging the hack saw.

Dennis's screams of sheer terror were muffled under the layers of duct tape. His eyes bulged a blood red and the veins in his neck pulsated in desperation.

He blacked out.

She dragged the heavy bin into the storage closet and lined it up next to the other two.

She bathed and put on her favorite strappy sundress that hugged her curves and displayed her ample cleavage. Lined lips with a hint of sparkly gloss gave the finishing touch of subtle elegance. Her curls fell softly, bouncy and carefree.

The sun was out in full force now.

Anna sat on her front porch rocker and soaked up the warmth. She whistled a little tune as excitement built. Her heart fluttered as she pictured the convention on Tuesday. A smorgasbord of eligible bachelors would be of her choosing. She mentally chose her wardrobe.

Fascination in the rainbow that suddenly appeared kept her rocking.

It’s always so beautiful right after the destruction, isn’t it?

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