Page 123 of Sven

Sven flipped the light at the top of the stairs to show stairs leading down to the basement.

“We are going to work through some of that anger.”

He started down the stairs before turning to her and reaching for her hand. She gave in to him as she followed him down the stairs. They came into a large room with a big sectional and a pool table. He guided them through into a large home gym complete with a treadmill and a weight machine, among other equipment and a large punching bag.

He let go of her hand and walked over to the punching bag. “You’re angry?”

“Yes, Sven, I’m fucking angry.”

“Hit it.”

“What? This is silly.”

“Natalie. Fucking hit it.”

She gave him a weary look.

“Do it.”

She raised her hand and hit the bag.

Sven grabbed her wrist and shook her hand, and it flopped around. “That was pathetic. Hit it.”

She hit it again, this time with force.

“That’s it. Hit again.”

She glared at him, her anger bubbling right below the surface.

“Come on, Natalie. This is those motherfucking hateful people in the Moms Fighting For Freedom.”

She hit it again, the anger rising.

“This is the reason you can’t be a teacher anymore.”

She hit it again and again. Her hands had finally stopped shaking, but the anger was right there.

“Let it out. You have to let it out.”

She hit it again. And again. All that anger balled deep inside of her was coming out.

“Want to know something else that is going to piss you off?” Sven asked with a smirk.

She waited for him to continue.

“My dad is the one who told the press. He thought if he broke us up, I’d give Winnie back to her mother.”

“Are you fucking kidding me?”

“Nope, he called me on my way back with the stuff.”

The rage ball in her exploded.

“That fucker!” she yelled as she punched the bag again.

At that, the rage she’d been holding onto came barreling out of her. She landed blow after blow on the bag, letting go of all of it.

After who knows how long she stopped and took a deep breath. It was the first deep breath she felt like she’d taken in a long time, even though she was panting from exertion. Her arms were tired, and her face was a mess of perspiration and tears.

---