A Hidden Truth

Dear Henry

[3rd person]

    Hank stormed into the house after the sheriff left. He was livid. The entire time he’d been in jail, he’d been thinking of what was waiting for him at home. It seemed like she was finally willing and eager for him. He wished he hadn’t listened when she asked him to stop. Hank knew she would’ve changed her mind about stopping once he’d filled her up.

    Juniper was a ripe fruit he’d cultivated for himself and he couldn’t stand that she would just leave him. All the years of training, out the f*****g window. He hadn’t even had to punish her since last summer. She may have acted cold and commanding, but he knew she’d stop before it became punishable. Just enough of a brat to make him happy.

    When Marie-Rose told him she’d kicked Juniper out he was mad enough to kill. But she was right. He’d made her certain assurances and having her as his wife had given him a level of prestige around town.

    Remy was talking about horses he’d seen at the ranch. Of course she moved to the only property, aside from the high school, he wasn’t allowed on by decree of the district attorney and the judge. He knew there were only a few places she had to go that were off those properties.

    If the damned sheriff hadn’t been there, he could’ve spoken freely. Used the words he trained her with. Made her listen and obey. She’d been afraid, he could see it in her eyes. The right words mixed with that fear would’ve had her back in line.

    He went upstairs to the east wing of the house and entered her room. Out of habit, he locked the door behind him. Her vanity sat empty. He thought of the nights when he’d had her watch in the large mirror as he tickled and teased her. The times he’d brought her while she watched her reflection react to his touch.

    On the bed she’d laid out her nightie as if an invisible body lay there. On it was a thick, battered journal. He picked it up and opened the cover. It had her name and the year she’d started writing. The very beginning of their physical relationship. He sat on the bed and read the first proper page. It outlined what they’d agreed to, what the boundaries were, what the requirements were. There were checkmarks next to some things in various amounts.

    The next page stated the checks were for every time one of them broke a rule. He turned back to the previous page and saw he’d had far more infractions than she had. Of course she was logging every time he messed up. Hank snorted.

    As he leafed through, he felt more and more angry. Every page told what he’d done and how much she hated him for it. Even when she liked something, she hated him for being the one who did it.

    When he got to the last few pages, he read carefully. Fire pulsed in his veins. On the very last page was a letter to him.

Dear Henry,

    If you’re reading this, then you have seen what my secret feelings were all these years. You should understand that I never have and never will love you. No amount of ‘making me feel good’ could ever make it a possibility. You lied to me.

    I was willing because I thought you were, at least, being honest about the terms of our deal. I was even prepared for Saturday. I left behind the things I bought. Maybe you could enjoy them with your wife. She’s not my mother anymore. She told me I was to stay away from her home, her family, and her husband.

    Teddy disowned himself, Carson is back in my life, and I am finally free of you and your controlling, abusive, perverse rules. From now on, I do what I want, when I want. I am telling a story that paints us all in a kinder light than we deserve. No one else will know what you did. No one will know why I left home. No one else will know how stupid I was.

    Mr. Reed has given us a place to live. I will see Remy on his birthday. You will not come with us. We will not meet on your property for pick up or drop off.

    I hate you with every fiber of my being. I will never think fondly on my time with you. I will never forgive you. Stay away from me.

    Never, ever yours,

    Juniper Fordyce

    Hank threw the journal against the wall. He raged, flipping furniture as he let out his anger about her leaving, her attitude, and her absolute disrespect. After everything he did for her! 

    After all of the things he didn’t do, just to make her more comfortable! After everything he denied himself for three f*****g years! The little b***h has the gall to leave and write him a letter like that! He was going to get back at her for this and for everything she put him through. It would just take some time, planning, and a few phone calls.