" It's Your World, I'm Just Living In It " Flash Fiction

Morris pleaded with his wife Helen, " Don't leave me hanging. I need to know, are you going to stay or leave? This back-and-forth has gone on long enough. You threatening to leave, then changing your mind has got to stop. "

Helen was shaking with fear, but took a deep breath and managed to utter that this time was no threat. She'd packed her bag for the last time, and was waiting for the right time to tell him, but it seemed there was never a right time. Each time she tried to tell him his off-the-wall remark left her cold and more afraid.

" It's your world, I'm just living in it. "

She'd hid the bruises and lacerations from her neighbors, staying inside for days at a time until healing occurred.

Each episode he begged her for forgiveness, making excuses like, " I'm under a lot of stress at work, or it's your fault, you provoke me. "

Morris was the most considerate man when she first met him. He showered her with lavish gifts and took her to places she'd only dreamed about.

He was a partner in a law firm that was considered the best in New York City and beyond. He was a driven man who fought harder when he heard the word, " No "

They had just reached their second wedding anniversary. Helen had wanted children at first, now, she thanked God that he refused to even discuss the possibility.

She knew he would find her wherever she went, but she had to try.

The only family she had was her mother's sister, aunt Marie who lived in Arizona. Aunt Marie had begged her to leave him and come live with her and that's what she was planning.

After Morris left for work on Monday morning she quickly got dressed and took her packed bag down from where she'd hidden it, and called a cab to take her to the airport. When she saw the cab arrive she grabbed her bag and made a-mad-dash to open the door. When she was seated a voice said, " Where to Ma'am? " She gasped, realizing it was Morris wearing a cabbie cap and jacket. She started to cry hysterically. The last words she heard were, " It's your world, I'm just living in it. "

The onlookers watched in horror as he floorboarded the gas pedal and deliberately steered toward the Manhattan Bridge overlooking the East River.