Page 21

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS twinkled along Anchorage’s Main street like multi-colored beads of joy. Spectacular holiday celebrations were commonplace during the holidays. Snow fell in small flakes, adding to the festive live scenes of Santa, elves, and reindeer.

Horse-drawn carriages lined the streets where tourists readily paid for an excursion, even a week after Christmas. Residents dressed in parkas shivered as they rushed from building to building, bags of goodies in hand.

Tonight would surely be a night to remember.

I had thought of everything for the most special occasion—our first wedding anniversary.

The second Cody gave me the green light to plan a night out, I created a list of ideas.

I spent the last month arranging everything down to the smallest detail.

I said a silent prayer that all the specifics lined up well enough to please my husband .

Dinner reservations at the fanciest restaurant in Anchorage had been the most important part of my plans. I wanted to prove to Cody that I was elegant enough for him, that I wasn’t a trashy slut like he accused.

Upon entry, the hostess took our coats in exchange for a call tag.

Cody’s eyes lit up, then darkened at the sight of my slightly seductive little black dress, which hugged my curves in all the right places.

It had been short, but long-sleeved to cover the scars and recent bruises.

I wasn’t sure if he was happy or pissed, but I had to hope for the best.

It was completely possible he wondered where the dress had come from; he knew every bit of clothing I owned and hadn’t seen this piece before.

Cody hadn’t known I had left the apartment.

It was against the rules, after all. An ad on TV showed the dress during a commercial and I knew I had to have it.

The Ma?tre D’ led us to a table beside the window, just as I had requested.

I could feel Cody’s eyes on my backside; new three-inch heels made my legs and ass look fantastic.

My old one-foot-in-front-of-the-other dancer walk had faded since leaving Seward, but when I put the shoes on, it came back as naturally as riding a bike.

Dark wood mixed with dark paint and splashes of burgundy throughout the intimate space exuded sophistication. I felt important and sexy, like I had a reason to be in the fine dining establishment. People looked at us as we walked past; I liked it.

Cody’s eyebrows raised when he read the costs on the menu. He cleared his throat as he placed the wine list beside his silverware—which was actually gold. “Get whatever you want, babe. This is a day for you; live it up.”

“Are you sure?” I held my breath, hoping he wasn’t just patronizing me. It annoyed me when he made me believe he was genuine, just to punish me when I did something wrong. “Because I would really love to try the filet mignon. I’ve always heard that’s the best piece of meat.”

A smirk on his face didn’t always mean the same thing. Some days, it meant he was playful and spunky, other days he was planning his next diabolical move. Not sure which day this was, I treaded lightly.

Nervous, my fingers danced over the heavy diamond necklace which laid cold and flat against my collarbone.

The outlandish wedding gift weighed more than anything I’d ever worn around my neck.

Cody had expressed how it had cost more than my mom’s trailer and contained almost five carats. Whatever that meant.

“Of course, my queen. Whatever your little heart desires.” His sweet smile calmed my nerves.

My confidence restored, I tucked one of my soft waves behind my ear, only to be met with a frown.

Cody demanded that my hair be perfect at all times, even though we never went anywhere.

I refused to let my frizzy mop of straw ruin his mood.

Every curl was in place and frizz-free; I made sure of it. So why did he frown?

While we waited for our drinks, Cody stroked the back of my hand with his index finger, then pulled my hand into his. The intimate gesture reassured me that this night would be glorious. He gazed into my eyes and slow-blinked.

My heart fluttered. This is what it’s all about.

“You know that you’re the most beautiful girl in this restaurant, right?”

Heat stained my cheeks red, and I tucked my chin.

“I mean it. Hell, K, you’re probably the prettiest girl in the entire state.”

“Come on, Cody. That’s not true.” Cloud nine was so squishy and light. I could swear I floated on fluffy bits of happiness.

“Of course it is. Most of the girls in this state are practically men, they have to work out in the cold beside their husbands. If they can even get husbands. There must only be six semi-attractive women in all of Alaska.” He released my hand and sat back as the waiter poured crimson liquid from a bottle of wine.

I think he just insulted me, but I’m not sure. With a chuckle, I squinted and wondered what he meant. I didn’t dare ask; it would feel shitty to know that my husband compared me to semi-attractive women. I pushed it aside.

“After I graduate in a few weeks, I was thinking we could move somewhere warm. Like this spring. We should start looking for houses. What do you think?”

“But my mom …”

“Jesus, do we need to do this before we even enjoy our food? You know how to ruin the best days.” His first glass of wine disappeared in seconds. I managed to sip mine even though I thought my tongue would stick to the roof of my mouth, it was so dry.

“Sorry. I just …” Determined to recover the mood, I forced enthusiasm into my voice. “Warm sounds fantastic. I would give anything to get away from this miserable cold. Where were you thinking?”

“Well, my counselor mentioned how Dallas is in a hiring boom and the hospitals pay really well, especially after the internship.” Cody went on and on about our future in Dallas and how wonderful it would be to explore new areas.

I still hadn’t been any further than Anchorage and hoped we could see more of Alaska before we left.

But I internalized the thought just in case Cody wasn’t in the mood for my selfishness.

Dinner was a fantastic ensemble of flavors; the steak was superb, and the wine and dessert complimented each other.

Wine had a different effect on me than whiskey; everything was funny, and I found myself giggling at the simplest things.

After just one bottle, I giggled too loud, and my husband frowned.

Two horses whinnied as we approached the final segment of my special night: a carriage ride through the snowy streets of Anchorage. The treat had been icing on the cake. Cody held my hand as I climbed into the tiny cart. His smile melted my heart.

“Wow, Kennedy, you went all out, didn’t you?” Compliments in any form confirmed his love for me. Quoting my favorite song lyrics was my favorite; sometimes, he would do it in the middle of a sentence.

Cold air leaked into my parka. I shivered and Cody pulled the blanket over our lap and put his arm around me so he could pull me closer.

“I never imagined I could love someone so much. You’re my world, Kennedy.

What would I do without you by my side?” He kissed the top of my head. “You complete me.”

When it was good with Cody, it was so good; better than any life I could have imagined. This must be what heaven feels like. I closed my eyes and pictured our new home in Dallas.

A two-story brick with white pillars on the front porch and white doors and trim. A two-car garage with two new shiny cars parked inside. My dreams had grown with the amount of money Cody told me he would be able to make as a psychologist.

As I snuggled into his embrace, I pictured our future together.

Cody said he wanted two-point-five kids and maybe even a cat named Snickers.

We don’t need a lot of land, just enough for the kids to play and be happy in the fenced backyard.

Our life was going to be perfect. This was just the beginning.

MY HEAD SNAPPED back, and something cracked. If I had been cooking, I would have thought Cody cracked a carrot in half behind my head. That’s what breaking bones must sound like. Why would I think that?

Everything moved in slow motion.My body twisted and brown curls spun out around my face like a fan.My arms went limp, and my knees buckled.

The edge of the Formica countertop connected with my chin on the way to the floor, a sound like thunder after a bright burst of lightning filled my ears.

Bright red streaks of blood spattered across the countertop and on the window above the sink.

Considering the position of my body on the floor, it must have looked like a scene in a murder mystery.

When I regained consciousness, I asked myself what had just happened, but the answer escaped me;my right cheek pulsed.It took me a minute to realize that he had hit me. I didn't remember him making contact, but he stood over me with his fist still clenched, huffing.

Not sure if I should laugh or cry, I did a little of both.Relieved, now that the aggression had left his soul, I was a little scared of what would happen next.

Tight and hot, my face hurt;the beginning of a bruise raised on my cheek. My head ached, more like pounded, and my heartbeat pulsed in my chin.Blood crusted at the corner of my eye.I assumed it had to be blood—how could drool reach my eye?

God, if you're real, please let this be a bad dream.I will settle for a nightmare.Please.This can't be happening again.

A voice reached my ears and for a moment, I thought God had answered me. Then I was able to make out the words.