Sarah: Please put that bottle down, Mark.
Mark: Mind your own business, Sarah.
Sarah looked at her husband with deep sorrow. His skin looked pale and sick. The warm living room felt cold and full of tension. Their hardwood floors used to shine with light. Now empty bottles sat in every single corner.
Sarah: The boys are scared of you.
Mark: They need to grow up then.
Sarah: You are drinking away our entire savings account!
Mark: It is my money! I earned every single dollar!
Sarah walked over to the wooden dining table. Her hands trembled as she packed tiny pink and light blue suitcases. Her two young boys, Toby and Leo, stood right beside her. They held their stuffed animals very tight against their chests.
Toby: Are we leaving Daddy today, Mommy?
Sarah: Just for a little while, my sweet angel.
Leo: Is Daddy mad at us?
Sarah: No, baby. Daddy is just very sick right now.
Mark took another huge gulp from his liquor bottle. He did not even look up as his family packed. The loud zipper on the suitcase made a sharp noise in the quiet room.
Sarah: You need to get help today, Mark. The mortgage is three months overdue.
Mark: Get out of my face, Sarah!
Sarah: I am taking the kids to my sister's apartment.
Mark: Fine! Leave me alone!
Sarah dragged the heavy bags out to the suburban front porch. The cool autumn wind hit her tear-stained face. She kneeled down on the porch steps and pulled her boys into a tight hug.
Sarah: Study hard, my sweet angels. Mommy loves you so much.
Toby: Don't cry, Mommy.
Sarah: Everything will be okay soon. I promise you both.
She held them until her arms felt completely numb. Inside the house, another glass bottle shattered against the wall. Sarah knew her old life was officially over. She wiped her eyes and walked her children down the concrete driveway.
The local bank had already sent notices. Mark had secretly cancelled his life insurance policy months ago. He spent every dime on his addiction. Sarah had no job and zero savings left in her bank account. She felt completely trapped in a nightmare.
Two weeks passed without a word from Mark. Sarah worked temp jobs during the day to pay for basic groceries. Her sister watched the young boys after school. Every phone call made Sarah jump with fear. Then the hospital finally called her late one evening.
Nurse: Is this Sarah Miller?
Sarah: Yes! Is Mark okay?
Nurse: You need to come to the county hospital right away.
Leave a Comment