Chapter 9 - The Empty House
The moving boxes were finally packed. I had won the house in the settlement, but I couldn't stay there. The walls held too many ghosts. The kitchen lighting still reminded me of the slap. The bedroom still echoed with his snoring.
I was selling it. We were moving to a bright, airy townhouse closer to Claire.
I walked through the empty rooms one last time, my footsteps echoing on the hardwood floors. I stopped in the kitchen, right in the exact spot where he had hit me on that final night.
I remembered the numbness. I remembered thinking my life was over, that I was destined to shrink forever until I disappeared entirely.
I placed my hand on the cool granite counter. I wasn't shrinking anymore. I had fought a monster in the dark and dragged him into the light.
The front door opened, and Claire walked in, holding a tray of lattes.
May you like
"Ready?" she asked, offering me a cup.
"More than ready," I smiled, taking the coffee. I didn't look back as I walked out the front door, locking it for the final time.
