Dark and Sinful Fairy Tales

“I don’t know Gretta.” Anita said rubbing her temple. She was sitting on the couch in her living room. She had a basket of freshly folded laundry next to her and was picking at the side of it. The living room was clean but clearly lived in and small. The sofa she sat on was a deep chocolate brown. Anita had her shoulder length wavy brown hair up in a rather messy bun. It could use a good brush.

“You used to love this kind of thing. Look, just come over after your group chat. What’s the harm? Lord knows that John is not giving you anything. Has he even remembered your anniversary is tomorrow?” Gretta stated with annoyance. Her long time friend showing the patience she was loosing with the tone of her voice.

“No he hasn’t forgotten.” Anita said looking down at her wedding band and twirling it a bit. Sadness there in her heart that she pretended to ignore. Though Anita didn’t expect much from him in regards to their anniversary.

“It’ll be fun, he has his card games Thursdays still right?” Gretta asked.

“Yeah, but that doesn’t mean I want to play with stuff best left alone anymore Gretta. I thought you gave up ouija boards and stuff a long time ago. It’s not funny to play with, I’m telling you ouija is not to be played with. How many times did you have to cleanse your house now?” Anita warned. She’d seen it work and even though the session wasn’t some evil thing, it still scared her and she never played with one again. That had been with Gretta when they were kids. Gretta still did that kind of thing, some very serious things had shown.

“Seriously Anita, just humor me. I’m a lonely single woman now. I have needs not being met, Kila and Jane are coming over for drinks and to try it out too. They love this stuff, it’s all a good time. You said that Donovan is staying at a friends house.” Anita sighed glancing toward the kitchen where she could hear her son and husband talking.

“He is but...”

“No buts, you come over and do this with us. Worst case maybe it will make John last longer and you can actually get off.” Anita choked on a bit of a laugh but also rubbed her forehead.

“Jesus Gretta have some tactfulness.” Gretta just laughed.

“Just stating what you’ve told me. Hon in all seriousness, you need to leave him. You and Donovan would be just fine on your own. I’ll help you, your parents will help you. There is so much better for you.”

“Gretta please don’t start. I’m not in the mood today. I’ll come okay?”

“Good, bring a good bottle of wine.” Gretta told her and Anita just smiled and told her friend goodbye before hanging up. She stood up and for a moment looked at the ring on her finger twisting it. Her hazel colored eyes said again, but she moved toward the kitchen hearing her husband John and her son Donovan talking.

“Dad,” Donovan started sounded really annoyed. “You promised to help me with this for woodworking. Could we at least try it this weekend?”

“Donnie,” John started sounding rather stern. “For one, stop bitching at me. You sound like your mother.” Anita narrowed her eyes a bit.

“Second I got you supplies, this is supposed to be your project. I gave you some pointers on it.” John said. “You know I have the tournament this weekend.” Anita came in seeing Donovan who was sixteen dropping his school bag on the floor by the table he was shaking his head. John was pulling some left overs from the fridge.

“Figured you weren’t going to cook, to busy chatting on the phone.” Anita was so used to the belittling tone of voice she just ignored it. She honestly was starting to think about ending this marriage. However there was so much in doing so, she had a stable job but how much money would a divorce take? What about custody of Donovan? She didn’t think that John would be gracious about anything.

He talked down to her all the time, and a few months ago Anita had started to go to a group for women that dealt with domestic abuse. Both verbal and physical, some that had left their spouses and some that still were with them. Anita had never been struck or physically harmed in any way by John. However she was now finally admitting that John was the kind that was mentally abusive. She was just struggling with the last part of herself that was still in love with her husband. It was the only thing she could think that was keeping her here. It hurt worse to think that it wasn’t love any more but his mental brainwash. Anita was trying though, she was seeking help and hoped it worked. Hoped it helped her step up.

“I didn’t know that you were hungry. I was actually coming to make some dinner.” Anita said looking at his back as he threw the leftovers in the microwave.” John was her height about five seven. He had sandy brown hair and light brown eyes. He was average build for someone his size. Decent enough shape, he liked to play in leagues and things.

“Don’t bother it would just make me late.” He commented. Anita glanced at Donovan who had sat down at the table and was looking through his bag.

“Are you hungry? I can make you something Donovan.” Donovan looked up and shrugged.

“Not to hungry yet, it’s fine ma. I can have leftovers too.” He said setting a couple book on the table. Donovan was going to be on the taller side. He was already just slightly taller than the two of them. He had light brown eyes and darker hair like Anita did.

“You sure?” She asked him.

“Yeah, it’s fine.” He commented with a wave of his hand and went over to grab a soda. He was a smart kid, got really good grades. Anita was proud of him, he was in a few academic programs and also liked track and field. Though he was done with that right now, he still had a couple friends that he ran with. Anita had so say she never regretted her choice to have Donovan even if she’d only been sixteen when she got pregnant by John.

He’d wanted her to not have him. She never told Donovan that. Her and John had been apart after that until she was twenty and then they’d gotten back together and gotten married shortly after. Much to the displeasure of her parents.

“What are you having Anita?” John asked looked at her as she went to the fridge.

“I don’t know I haven’t decided.” Anita commented and John pulled his food out.

“Well don’t over do it. You’ll ruin that work from the gym, finally looking good again.” Anita felt a sharp jab in her stomach. Why’d he have to say things like that?

“You don’t have to sound so mean.” Anita told him. “I’ve been working hard.” She commented and she really had. More for herself than anything else, at first she’d started going because of John and his constant comments about her weight. About how she used to look. Then after she started going and seeing results with her diet and exercise she felt good. Others noticed and told her how awesome she was doing. That they were envious of her conviction to stick to a routine. If only they knew.

“I’m not being mean. Don’t be so sensitive Anita, I’m just being truthful. It’s time and money, I don’t want to see you falling back into bad habits again. You’re almost a hot wife again.” Anita grabbed a drink and decided that she wasn’t in the mood to eat with John watching. He was eating his food standing there in the kitchen with a fork rather quickly.

“Dude dad you sound like an ass.” Donovan said. Donovan was really irritated with his father. He was also growing tired of his dad’s attitude and never keeping his promises. Donovan was very aware of how his father treated his mother. He didn’t like it now that he realized what was going on. He was smart enough to see that mental manipulation that his dad liked to do to his mom.

“Watch how you talk to me Donnie or you’ll be eating soap.” John warned and tossed his empty container in the sink. He drank some water as Donovan just looked down not apologizing at all to his dad.

“Well I’m off, I need to pick up some beer for the game. You make the reservations for tomorrow?” John asked her and she gave a nod.

“Yeah.” Anita told him and he quickly kissed the side of her mouth and grabbed his keys leaving the two. Anita was looking toward the living room where he’d gone out the front door and left. She looked back to find Donovan looking at her.

“Ma,” Donovan decided that he was tired of watching the dysfunction of his parents. He loved his mom, she was always there. Always came to his meets, or any competition that he had. Willing to help him with homework, and even with learning to drive. Yeah he was a teenage boy that wanted privacy and stuff but even with her being there he never did feel like she was smothering or anything. He really appreciated the trust she gave him, and the times they did have fights or he yelled he did feel bad about it afterward. Mainly because in the back of his head he didn’t want to be his dad.

“Going to finish that sentence?” She said with a light smile, a bit of humor in her eyes. Still he could see the shadows.

“Why do you put up with dad saying things like that to you?” His dad had said a lot worse. Called his mother names before, some pretty nasty things before she started to lose weight. He’d heard his mom crying sometimes and now knew it was probably because of his dad and how he liked to seem to control her with words.

“Not sure what you mean.” She stated but he could see that she did. Donovan looked down at his homework and decided that she clearly wasn’t going to talk to him about it.

“Finish up the homework you have and I’ll take you to Adam’s on my way to the gym.” Donovan just gave a nod. He glanced over as she was making some food and he knew that she was probably making him some too.

“Hey ma,” Donovan tapped his pen watching her.

“Yeah?” She asked glancing at him as she worked.

“I think you look awesome, not that there was anything wrong with you before.” He felt a little weird saying it, but felt that his mom could use a compliment that was real. She looked over at him with a real smile.

“Thank you Donovan. Maybe I’m hoping that one day I’ll be able to run like you can before I fall apart with old age.” He gave a laugh and so did she. It served to release the tension from not so long ago. Donovan went back to his school work. Anita finished making them dinner and felt that if there was one good thing out of this relationship with John it was Donovan. Now she was looking forward to that bottle of wine with Gretta and the others later.