Page 38 of In the Light of Day

“Hi Thad, you’re looking well.”

I try to keep upbeat about it all, act like nothing ever happened, but the small tremble in my hands gives me away and I quickly sit on them hoping it wasn't noticed.

“Who invited you, slu—-”

“Watch your fucking mouth when you talk to my wife,” Ace growls, cutting Thad off. I'm almost positive he was about to call me a slut and I guess I should have expected it. We never got along growing up and the few times he came to the house with his parents he’d just glare at me.

“You’re not welcome here,” he says squinting his eyes at me. I don't know if he has a death wish or if he’s just stupid but Ace is practically vibrating next to me. Ready to leap out of his truck and teach him a lesson from the school of hard knocks.

“I see you’re just as pleasant as ever Thad, but she's my sister so if anyone shouldn't be here it's you.”

His eyes expand like I've just said something repulsive, however, knowing what the expectations are from my family, he would look equally appalled if I served chilled red wine. I'm not the little scared girl who is too afraid to speak up anymore. My Ma taught me better than that.

I am strong.

I am powerful.

I’m a survivor.

And I’ll be damned if my narcissistic family is going to get in the way of all the progress I've made.

“Thuddy is it? You can fuck off now,” Ace snaps, looking like he's about ready to blow.

Sneering at Ace blatantly using the wrong name to address him, Thad all but stomps his feet as he scurries away, looking over his shoulder at us as he enters through the main doors.

“We should go home,” Ace says, bringing his hand to my chin to direct my attention to his concerned face.

Taking a deep breath, I try to reason with what he’s asking. I do want to go. I don’t want anything to do with these people but I also need to stay. I need to show myself that they don't have that power over me any more. I'm not the same weak girl they remember and I love the woman I have become.

“I need to go in there for me, Ace. I need to show them I'm stronger despite their treatment of me. Lizzy and I have lost so many years together, I won't let them stop me anymore.”

His eyes search my face, looking for any sign of doubt but I’m resound in my decision. I'm going in there on my own terms, with the man of my dreams on my arm and my real family waiting at home for me.

???

Two hours of singing, dancing and hanging out with Phillips' family, and I can honestly say I didnotexpect the night to go this way. Other than the intense glares from my mother and aunt on the other side of the room we have been all but left alone.

Lizzy and Phillip thought it would be better for everyone that we remained separated and it has worked out perfectly. Phillip’s family are allnormalpeople who hold a variety of jobs including his mother being the receptionist at their local vets. She has spent a good portion of the evening showing me puppy photos and asking if we were keen on adopting one. I have to say, I'm a little tempted. There is one little guy who is missing a leg that my heart calls to and I've decided to broach the subject in a few days to see if that’s something Ace is interested in. Within a seven day timeframe, we would have been married and have a fur baby on the way so I want to make sure we're on the same page before any new big decisions are made.

“Can I get you another drink, darlin'?” Ace says, kissing the exposed skin on my shoulder. I lean into him and kiss his mouth softly, mumbling the wordssurprise me. His gaze lingers before he moves to stand, only the second time this evening he has physically left my side. I look over the room and am so happy for Lizzy, that everyone has come out to support her pending nuptials.

My eyes lock with a man I don't quite recognise though, he looks so familiar but I can't quite place him. I quickly find Ace in the crowd, well, his back at least as he makes his way toward the bar. He stands almost a whole head taller than everyone in the room at 6 '5 so he's easy to spot. I flick back to where the strange man was standing but he's no longer there. I know I've seen him before, I'm almost sure of it.

Gasping, a sharp pain from my upper arm causes me to turn, the sensation only getting worse when the hand holding me too tightly doesn't let go, twisting my skin underneath its tight grip.

“I see you’re still flaunting yourself for anyone to see. I would have thought he would have taught you more respect than that?” The strange man says, glaring at me aggressively.

“See,” Thad slurs, “Once a slut, always a slut.” I guess the sayinglike father like sonapplies here; his dad couldn't handle his drink either. I rip my arm out of the strange man's grip, still not entirely sure who he is despite his confidence in who I am.

I’m about to tell them both tofuck offwhen a white, lightning hot pain erupts from the side of my face and in a second I'm frozen, taken back to all the times he would use violence to subdue me. My aunt's contorted face appears out of nowhere, yelling god knows what at me before a spray of red mist coats my side.

Frozen in fear, I can't figure out why everyone is screaming. It's like I can see the panic and mayhem but my brain hasn't caught up from what's happened to cause it.

My face burns and I stare into a dead set of eyes, unmoving before me.

Who is this man that hates me so inherently?

Thad appears, pulling at the man to leave in the chaos. The sudden carnage seeming to sober him. My aunt is crying, blood covering her arm, and my mother is here, yelling at me but I can't make out her words. I'm not sure if I would take them in even if I could hear her. I’ve become quite good at zoning out during the few accidental conversations we’ve had over the years. Trauma has this way of making the world stand still.

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