Read Online On the Other Side by Michelle Janine Robinson - Free Book Online Page B

we have to fight about everything? Can’t we agree to disagree? You want it. I don’t. Why does that have to be a problem?”
    â€œIt’s a problem because it’s too damn tense around here. We both need to loosen up. This will help us loosen up.”
    â€œDon’t you see, Neal? This is not what’s going to solve our problems. This is what is causing our problems. Now I understand everything. I knew my instincts could not be that off. You haven’t been the man I fell in love with because you’ve been altered by this drug. All you have to do is stop and we’ll be fine. I’ll help you anyway I can. And, if we can’t do it on our own, we can try rehab.”
    Neal laughed loudly. “Woman, you must be out of your mind. There is no way in hell I would ever go to rehab. In fact, I don’t need help or to go to rehab. I don’t have a problem. It’s funny how people who drink are so quick to point out to people who indulge in other drugs how they need help.”
    â€œThe most drinking I do is a glass of wine here and there at dinner or a shot of tequila once in a blue moon. How can you compare that to an illegal narcotic?”
    â€œAlcohol is as much of a drug as coke or marijuana or any other drug. Alcohol happens to be legal, but that doesn’t mean it can’t cause as much damage as any other drug. The fact that alcohol is legal and other drugs aren’t is a governmental decision, not one of science. It’s all about revenue and taxation. That’s what really influences the decisions about which substances to regulate or outlaw.”
    Damita had heard similar arguments about cigarettes versus marijuana and as far as she was concerned it was the excuse people made to justify their addiction. “I’m going to bed. I have a lot I have to do tomorrow before I go back to work.”
    â€œYeah, go to bed. It’s no secret that your job has always been more important anyway.”
    Damita went back to bed, but she wasn’t asleep for long. An hour or so later she could feel her pajamas being pulled down. The stale whiff of alcohol was on Neal’s breath as he tried to force her lips open with his tongue. He pawed at her breasts and she could feel him semi-hard between her legs.
    â€œNeal, stop it!”
    â€œBut, I’m your husband. I want you. I want you now.”
    â€œStop it!”
    â€œI love you so much.” He was sweaty and grunting like an animal, trying to shove himself inside of her.
    Damita was repulsed. “Get off of me!”
    She pushed him so hard he rolled off of her and onto the floor. When he got up he was clearly angry. He whipped back the comforter from the bed and jumped on top of Damita. She tried to get away, but he was much too strong and this time he was prepared for her resistance. The more she struggled, the angrier he got. He hit her again and again until she eventually gave up fighting and lay there, limp.
    Damita sensed that he was having some difficulty staying erect. Every now and then she could feel him jerking off to get harder. The lack of lubrication and Neal’s relentless pounding and thrusting caused her to scream out in pain. He clasped his hand over her mouth to keep her from being heard. Neal mistook her muffled screams of pain for passion and it encouraged him even more. Shewasn’t sure if it was the alcohol, the coke or her lack of participation, but he didn’t last long and soon it was over.
    Neal rolled off of her and quickly fell asleep, while Damita lay there, crying.
    Listening to him snore, the smell of him making her ill, she thought about what she would do if a stranger invaded her home, raped and beat her. There was no doubt about the answer; she would kill him. How then was this any different? She considered going into the kitchen, grabbing a knife from the attaché case for the Forschner cutlery set Neal had bragged about spending six hundred dollars