“I’m sorry, but I already have plans.”
“What plans?”
“I’m going to October Fest. I can’t cancel. I already promised that I’d go.”
“With who?” Henry said with a snarl.
Marley crossed her arms over her chest. “A friend.” She said vaguely. Marley didn’t want to lie to Henry, but she really didn’t want him to know the truth either. The vein in Henry’s neck was already throbbing.
“What friend?” It would have been different if Henry had asked her the question out of curiosity. Then, it would have been a normal conversation between boyfriend and girlfriend, but he had asked her out of jealousy. Henry was treating Marley like property like she had no right to go out with a friend without Henry’s approval.
“Does it matter?”
“Yes, actually, it does. I don’t like that you’re keeping secrets from me, Marley.” Henry seethed, squeezing Marley’s arm. Then, Henry’s face contorted into that of a rabid beast and his grip on Marley’s arm tightened. “It’s Trevor, Isn’t it? You’re ditching me for him.”
Marley’s arm hurt. She was afraid that Henry would squeeze harder, breaking her arm in the process. “Don’t be mad. We’re just friends. I swear.”
Henry scoffed, “That’s what all women say, but they always lie.” Henry still had a tight grip on Marley’s arm. Marley couldn’t believe herself. She was a strong young woman. Marley was fierce and she never let people push her around, but with Henry it was different. Around him, her whole self was muted. She always let Henry push her around. That’s just how it was. Still, feeling Henry’s hand pressing into her arm gave Marley a little fire.
Marley pulled her arm away from Henry, but his finger marks remained on her skin, marking her as his. “Don’t touch me, Henry.” Marley said through clenched teeth.
“I’m sorry, Marl. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I love you. I would never hurt you, not on purpose.” Henry pleaded and just like that, Marley forgave him. Once again, he had made her feel like she was in the wrong. Henry had a way of doing that to Marley. Marley shouldn’t have felt guilty. After all, she wasn’t doing anything wrong by going out with Trevor. She was perfectly faithful to Henry. Marley and Trevor had kissed once, sure, but that was months ago. Their relationship hadn’t gone any further than that. Marley and Trevor were just friends, but Henry never seemed to believe that.
Marley didn’t think that she needed to defend her integrity, but maybe Henry deserved an explanation. “There’s nothing going on between me and Trevor. Henry, just calm down.” She pleaded, voice wavering. Never before had she seen Henry this angry and never before had she been so afraid of his anger. This wasn’t the Henry she knew. Henry had a temper, but never had he been so much like an animal
“You’re such a whore. Richie Rich probably pays you to spend time with him. Your daddy can’t pay your way through school anymore. So, you have to whore yourself out to rich boys. I should have seen sooner that you’re nothing but a slut.” Henry spat.
“Henry, please, don’t act like this.” Marley begged, tears prickling her eyes. She knew Henry didn’t mean what he said, but it still hurt.
“Marley, I’m your boyfriend. You’re committed to me, not Trevor.”
“I’m not committed to anyone, Henry. I can go out with whoever I want. I have no obligation to go out with you every weekend. You’re my boyfriend, yeah, but you’re not the only person in my life. I like to spend time with my friends too, Henry. My world doesn’t revolve around you, you know.”
Henry’s eyes turned cold. “Why do like that kid so much, anyway? He’s only twenty years old and a little prick. But look at me, I’m older, more refined. Why would you want some kid, when you can have a grown man?” Marley hated when Henry acted like an arrogant jackass. It was so unbecoming and definitely not sexy.
“I’m twenty years old. Besides, he acts more mature than you do. You act like a child whose toy has been taken away. I’m not a possession. Besides, Trevor and I are not going on a date. We’re just having fun together. It’s called friendship. Not that you would know what that’s like.”
“I won’t allow you to go out with him.” Henry said firmly.
“You can’t tell me what to do. I’ll go out with whoever I want. Henry, things between us can’t work if you treat me like a subservient. I answer to myself not to you.”
“Just see how far that will get you. Marley, I tell you what to do because I care about you. I don’t want you to screw up your life for silly things like going to a movie or hanging out with some frat boy. You’re twenty years old and need to grow up. I’m just trying to help you do that.”
“What you’re doing isn’t helping me. I’m going to October Fest with Trevor. At least he’ll treat me with respect.”
“Whatever, Marley. Go have fun with that prick, but when you need someone to cuddle with, don’t bother knocking at my door.” Henry said, going back to work, not giving Marley a chance to respond. Marley had finished her shift, but Henry still had two hours more to work. Marley rolled her eyes. Henry was becoming more and more paranoid about her and Trevor. It seemed like Henry was jealous and possessive more than he was the guy that Marley had fallen in love with. Still, Marley couldn’t break Henry’s heart. She loved him. At least, she thought she did. He had been cruel, but they had been fighting. Everyone said mean things when they were fighting. They’d make up the next day and Henry would apologize. Then, everything would be okay again, but that wasn’t the truth. Henry was a jerk. It took Marley a few more weeks to finally see him for what he truly was.
Marley stormed into Super Stock three weeks later. She knew that Henry’s shift had just ended. It was late, but she needed to talk to him. She needed to yell and scream at him. She needed him to know that they were done. She would live her own life. Marley wasn’t going to let Henry control her anymore. Marley had her own life to live and she couldn’t live it with Henry in the way.
“Marley!” Henry said, excitedly giving her a kiss of greeting, but Marley didn’t reciprocate. Instead, she pulled him into the breakroom, glad that it was empty.
“Oh,” Henry said, eyebrow raised. “We’re getting dirty in the breakroom again. I like it.”
“No, Henry,” Marley said sternly. “I’m here to break up with you.”
“What are you talking about, Marl. Have you lost your mind? You can’t break up with me. That’s not how this works. I won’t let you go, Marley. You’re mine and I don’t share.”
“We’re done, Henry. I can and will break up with you. I am my own person and you’re only holding me back. So, I’m done with you and I’m not looking back. We’ll have to deal with working together, but we won’t talk. We’ll just coexist and that’ll be enough of you to last a life time. You’re only meant to be taken in small portions. I know that now. If I get too much of you, you’re poison, sweet going down, but bitter coming up.”