Dumped in Texas.
1306 Words
Josephine
Angelina woke me up with a start.
" Where's papa?" She cried.
I assured her he was fine. He must have gone to find breakfast.
Angelina jumped out of bed to find him.
I stretched, wondering where he went, but didn't feel the panick of a little girl.
I heard him laughing as he ran into Angelina in the hallway.
" Papa!" She cried.
I heard them talking quietly.
Then Ben came to me. He lay in bed on top of me.
" Listen, I am going away on business for a day or two. I need you to listen to me ok?"
I nodded, biting my lip. Sounds serious.
" Arturo is bringing over our divorce papers. I want you to be truly free.
I know I made you marry me the first time around, so now you will be free of Manuel Ortega."
I looked down, away from his intense gaze, feeling embarrassed that he knew my mind. I didn't want to be married to Manuel.
" I love you Josphine. I want you to be happy, even if that happiness is with Charles Hudson.
He is the best choice. I know I hurt you. I can see that you want what he can provide you, a good life and...true freedom."
I shook my head. "Ben, what are you saying?"
" Jo, after you declined my impulsive marraige proposal, I had a moment of clarity.
I have been unfairly holding you to me one way or the other.
I'm done doing that to you.
Jo, Charles is coming to get you to take you home.
I am sorry for everything I have done to hurt you, it was never my intention to hurt you, I swear it.
Please Phina, take Angelina with you, she deserves happiness."
He had tears filling his eyes.
I looked at each one as I hugged him and pulled him to my body.
" No, I love you Ben, your not thinking straight, you just went through a traumatic experience."
He kissed my lips slowly as he shook his head.
" Oh sweet girl, I'm no good for you. Charles can give you everything you deserve and none of the chaos and pain I've caused you.
Just look at your poor back. I did that to you. I have caused you nothing but pain and stress.
Josephine...I release you completely. Arturo is dropping off the papers soon, once they are signed, I am leaving."
He got up and walked into his closet.
Something was wrong. Something wasn't adding up. I felt anxious and confused.
Yesterday he was upset that I didn't want to marry him again.
Today he is breaking things off with me completely. Something happened. I know him.
I looked around for my phone. How did he speak with Charles?
There...a call to Charles. It lasted 25 minutes.
What could Ben and Charles possibly have been talking about.
I dialed Charles.
" Charles here." He answered.
" It's me, what did you say to him to make him leave me and his kids?" I was pissed.
" Who...honey? Who is that now?" He played dumb.
" You did this, did you threaten him or what?" I yelled angrily.
" Ask him Jo, I'll see you in a few hours. I miss you baby."
" Fine."
I hung up on him, stupid jerk.
I marched into Ben's closet and pushed him down onto the floor, towering over him.
" Whatever he said, you don't listen to him. Do you understand.
I can make up my own mind. I won't sign those papers. Do you understand. You are my husband, like it or f*****g not!"
I turned to leave. His hand snaked out and grabbed my ankle.
" Come here." He said softly.
I shook my head. "No."
" Please, I want you to know, Charles didn't talk me into letting you go, you talked me into it.
You said yourself you and Charles never had a chance to be together.
I owe you a chance at love. True love Jo. I won't stop until you are completely, utterly happy."
I sat down hard next to him, hugging my knees.
"You called him?" I couldn't believe it. How awkward.
" Yes, and he's a great guy. He's coming up here to take you home. So our divorce needs to be final by then. It's all settled Jo."
" So you both decide who I love then?" I was mad as hell.
" Jo, no decision needed. You...love...him. You told me this."
" Why? Did I do something to make you hate me?" I asked tears in my eyes.
" Nope, just the opposite. You made me love you Jo. I am not the one for you.
I see that now. I am leaving for a while. I want you to keep my kids happy for me. Your parents love them don't they?"
" Ben, no!" I cried.
" Do not do this. I swear I love you!" I yelled.
" I'm not ready to be tied down Jo, I have my passions. I need to find a wife that will let me boss her around a bit, you know...maybe tie her up. Bondage stuff.
You can't fulfill any of those darker fantasies I have. I need a woman who is...kinky." He said softly.
" You are a f*****g liar. Tell me why, what happened. Why are you leaving? We just got here. Please, let me in." I grabbed his shirt, holding it all bunched up.
" I don't love you Jo. I never loved you. I thought I owned you once, but you just wanted to be free of me.
I need a woman that I can be me around, that's not you. That's for damn sure, you are too delicate."
I sensed he wanted to hurt me now, make me hate him.
I touched his lips.
" Whatever you want Manuel Ortega. Whatever you f*****g want. I know you are lying to me. I can see it.
But, when I find out what's going on, I'm coming for you. Do you understand me?" I was screaming now, hysterical.
" No Jo! You leave me the f**k alone. I'm done with you. You are just a stupid s*x slave to me.
The worst I ever had. Can't even please a man right. Just leave me the hell alone!" He pushed me away as he stood to leave.
I ran at him, hugging his back.
" Don't go, don't do this to us. I need you. I will die without you, please...I beg you. I will let you tie me up, beat me. I will learn to please you in bed. I promise!"
He stood very still.
" No." He said, but his voice broke.
" I'm a fool then. I am such a fool. I thought you understood, what we both went through. How it bonded us. I should have said yes to you. I will do it now."
I got on my knees. "Please stay with me, marry me again. Please love me."
He removed my arm from his leg.
" I'm going now. Goodbye Phina."
And just like that my marraige was in shreds.
Arturo came and brought me the divorce papers. Manuel had signed them already.
He gave everything to me. "f**k!"
I smelled a conspiracy. Why the hell would Ben leave everything to me?
I signed the papers and handed them to Arturo.
" Do I get you in the divorce too?" I asked him.
He nodded. " I've been yours for a while sweetheart." He squeezed my hand.
I removed my ring and handed it to him. " I don't need this."
" Arturo, can you follow him and be sure he is safe, I know he's lying to me."
Arturo was very quiet.
- Writer
