Play Your Cards

Another week, another session, another pointless hour sitting in this room. I hated therapy, but I needed it to stay sane. Therapy was keeping me from killing my husband.

"Okay, before we wrap it up today, I want you to talk about Michael."

"He's the last person I want to talk about right now."

"And that's why we saved this conversation for last."

I rolled my eyes and folded my arms, I honestly had nothing to say about my husband.

"All I have to say is I know what's going on I just don't know with who, and at this point, I don't care to. I'm just over it, I'm over pretending and I'm damn sure over this."

"Have you thought about divorce?"

I looked at her and laughed, if she only knew who my husband truly was, she would know divorce is not an option. Michael Ford is a powerful man, head of the mafia, he ran the whole city. Anybody close to him remained protected no matter what, but if you cross him consider yourself gone. He had the power to get rid of anyone he pleased, including a woman who knew too much and tried to leave him. Michael's only been married twice, and I want to keep it that way.

"Please, leaving Michael isn't an option. The only way I can be free from him is if death do us part."

She shifted in her seat, I could tell she started to get uncomfortable. She closed her notepad and stood from her seat.

"Well Mrs. Ford, I think that wraps up our session for today. It was great seeing you and I hope to see you at the same time next week."

I stood from the couch and gathered my belongings, walking to the door I stopped right in front of my therapist. I looked her deep in the eyes and I could see the fear building in her, so I smiled.

"Well of course, why would I miss a hundred-plus dollar session with Ms. Palensize, the best damn therapist in town? Now if you would excuse me, I got to get going."

I walked out of the office and straight for the elevator, I was so stressed I needed to stop for a drink there was no way that I was going home sober. I stepped into the elevator and pressed the lobby button, before the doors closed a man came running down the hall.

"Hey! Hold the elevator!"

I was honestly going to let the doors close, I wanted to be alone just me and the elevator music. At the last minute I reached out and stopped the doors from closing, I figured I didn't always have to be a bitch.

"Thanks for holding the door, I'm in a rush for a very important meeting, and taking the stairs wasn't an option."

"Yeah, no problem"

It was a long way down from the 12th floor and I wanted nothing more than for this guy not to say another word. Although he was handsome, I didn't want to be bothered.

"Your job must pay you by the boatload."

"Excuse me?"

"I'm sorry, I just assumed because you look like money."

I was caught off guard by his choice of words, at this point I wouldn't be surprised if he tried to rob me.

"Well yes, all my things are expensive, especially the things in my bag."

I tapped my bag twice indicating that I got it on me just in case he tried something crazy. His eyes got wide and he threw his hands up.

"Oh no, I'm not on that, just giving the lady a compliment."

"Well thank you."

"Bad day?"

"Can you tell?"

He laughed a bit and shook his head, when he spoke again I could tell he was being sarcastic.

"Of course not, I'm sure you're always this nice."

"Ha ha very funny."

The elevator stopped on the first floor and the doors opened up to the lobby. The man took a step back and stretched out his arm.

"After you beautiful."

I looked up at him as I walked out of the elevator heading right for the front entrance. I was walking fast praying I could get out the door before he tried talking some more, I guess I didn't pray hard enough.

"Please let me get the door for you."

He did a slight jog to reach the door before I could. He pushed the door open and I nodded my head as I walked right past him. I clicked the button on my key unlocking my car that was parked right out front and immediately got right inside. I could see the man approaching my passenger side and I couldn't pull off quick enough.

"Hey wait I didn't catch your name."

I rolled down my window and leaned over the center compartment.

"Eva, now can I go, please? For someone who was in such a rush, you sure do have a lot of time to waste talking to me."

I pushed my button and started my car, I pulled off with no hesitation leaving the ma standing on the curb. After that, I was going to need two drinks. I knew I couldn't stay long, Michael would have his whole team out looking for me if I did. I grabbed a quick drink or two and was out of the bar in thirty minutes flat. I pulled into the driveway of my home not even wanting to go inside, I parked my car and got out. I walked slowly up the steps and to the front door, knowing it would be unlocked I just walked right in. I could hear voices in the den but the doors were closed so I didn't bother to interrupt. I went upstairs and got right in the shower, I was in there for a while before I heard a knock at the door.

"Excuse me, Mrs. Ford, Mr. Ford wants you downstairs."

"I'll be out in a minute."

I rolled my eyes and shut the shower off. After getting out and oiling my body, I slipped on my silk pajama set with matching robe and slippers then headed downstairs.

"Ah there she is, I want you to meet my beautiful wife."

"Eva, this woman is your wife?"

As I walked into the den I was surprised to see the talkative man from the elevator. They both stood as I entered but Michaels's expression changed when the man said my name.

"And how the hell do you know my wife?"

Michael started to approach the man, I could see him start to sweat as he got closer.

"I met her at the."

"Mall!"

I quickly cut him off, Michael didn't know that I was in therapy. He hated therapists, he thought they were too nosy and untrustworthy. If he found out that I was going to therapy he'd have all of our heads. They both looked at me with confused faces, I had to be quick and careful with what I said next or this would turn ugly really fast.

"I was buying you a new pair of shoes, he happened to be there so I asked for his help. Unfortunately, the shoes we agreed on were out of stock in your stile so."

Michael turned back to look at the man and in that moment I shot him a look signaling him to play along.

"The mall huh?"

"Yes sir, and like she said too bad those shoes were out in your size, it was the best Italian leather you'd ever seen."

Michael took a step back and looked him up and down, he then threw his arms up in excitement and I was instantly relieved.

"Well then let's welcome the newest member of our team, more like family I should say. Me and the fellas are gonna take Ace here on a little ride don't wait up."

As they left the den Michael kissed my forehead and I didn't even budge. I didn't even make eye contact with either of them, that was such a close call. I turned on my heels and made my way back upstairs. I got right in bed, I knew what "don't wait up" meant. I didn't even care anymore that he was cheating as long as I was still being taken care of, but I felt sorry for whoever the woman was.

I woke up the next day to an empty bed, I expected that much. I didn't know if he had an early day or if he just never came home but, I didn't mind because the house was so peaceful. I dialed the kitchen phone to request my breakfast in bed today, I didn't plan on leaving this spot all day.

"Yes, yes, just have Rosie bring it up when it's finished. Oh and don't forget my cranberry juice this time."

As soon as I hung up the phone Michael came bursting through our bedroom door. It was obvious he hadn't come home, he was in the same clothes as last night and he looked dog-tired.

"Michael, where have you been?"

"What have I told you? Huh? Don't question me, any questions asked in this house only come from me."

I rolled my eyes and just got on my tablet, he only said that when he's been out doing something he doesn't want me to know about. Michael was an open book with me when it came to his work, maybe that's why he gets rid of any woman who tries to leave him. I heard the shower cut on and Michael came out of the bathroom wearing only a towel. I had to admit he was my husband for a reason, he was so fit and handsome, and he just made me so sick with the cheating.

"I need you up, we got a lot of business to take care of today. So get up and get ready."

"What do you mean we? I got breakfast on the way."

"Well, baby I guess you have to take it to go then."

I didn't usually handle business with my husband, only when he needed help from a woman. I didn't bother to ask any more questions, the day would go way smoother when I didn't. After getting ready I laid Michael's clothes out on the bed and headed downstairs. I figured I could eat some of my food before leaving for the day.

"Mrs. Ford my apologies, I was just on my way up to bring your meal."

"No worries I'll eat it here."

I sat at the kitchen island and stuffed my face as much as I could before Michael came down, I was starving. I hated days like this because that meant no food, no fun, no nothing all day long. Good thing I didn't have to do them often, I hated the mob life it turned me into such a mean person. Michael said the only way to get respect is through fear. I guess it's all a part of being a mob wife.