Read Online Woman Walks into a Bar by Rowan Coleman - Free Book Online Page A

have touched you, you dumb fucking whore. You tricked me into getting you preg­nant.” He spat the words in my face. “Someone’s got to bring that kid up right. Someone’s got to bring her into line so she doesn’t grow up into a useless bitch like you.” He stood up and looked down the hallway.
    â€œI’ll show her,” he said, and he walked out of the kitchen.
    I don’t know how but I was on my feet. Every breath I took felt like fire was spreading over my chest and I could taste my blood in my mouth. I knew whatever happened, what­ever he did to me, he wasn’t going to lay a finger on Beth.
    That was the moment when I stopped loving him.
    â€œNo!” I managed to scream. He had opened her door and she was sitting up in bed, holding her teddy to her chest. She had stopped crying. The tears stood in her bright eyes. I could feel her fear.
    I lunged at him. I jumped on his back and pulled him off balance. He slammed me into the hall wall. I felt something crack.
    He turned around and looked at me. There was nothing left in his eyes of the Adam I had still loved right up until the moment he threatened my daughter. There was nothing left in his face at all except hate.
    A loud knock rattled the glass in the front door.
    â€œWhat’s going on in there?” It was Mr. Radcliff, the old man from next door. “I’m warning you, I’m calling the police!” His voice was shaking. He was afraid but he kept knocking on the front door.
    I looked at Adam and waited as he drew back his fist.
    The next punch broke my nose.
    I expected him to go for me again. But instead he headed for the front door and flung it open. Mr. Radcliff wasn’t there, but I could hear sirens growing louder. Adam looked at me one last time and walked out.
    I never saw him again. I didn’t even press charges, although the police really wanted me to. I couldn’t face it. I moved back home with Mum and Dad, and he hung around for a while trying to get back into my life but I didn’t see him. I didn’t go out at all, and there was always someone at home with me. After a couple of months, my brother and three of his mates met him one night as he was leaving the pub. They persuaded him he should move on. I heard he went to London.
    Sometimes I try to think about the first few years that Adam and I were together. I try to think about the good times, like when he’d made me and Beth a surprise picnic for Beth’s first birthday. But I can’t. All I can think about is that the last man I loved broke my nose and three ribs.
    And I think there must be something really wrong with me.

Twelve
    â€œGet out of my way,” I said and pushed Joy to one side as I headed toward the pub doors.
    â€œWhat?” Joy stepped in front of me again. “Why? Where are you going?” she asked me, looking surprised. I shook my head as I looked at her. I couldn’t believe that she didn’t know why I was so angry.
    â€œI thought I was going on a date with . . .” I stopped myself saying Brendan’s name. “Luke Goddard!” I shook my head in disbelief. “Joy, you of all people should know what he did to me! He made my life hell. He made me think that someone like Adam was my knight in shining armor!” I pushed past Joy again and got two steps farther before she stopped me.
    â€œSam, wait!” She held the top of my arm. “Please. Just listen to me for a second.”
    I pulled her fingers loose and waited.
    â€œOK,” she said. “We were stupid. We should have told you from the start who you were meeting. But we didn’t think you’d come if you knew!”
    â€œActually, that part was Joy’s idea,” Marie said.
    â€œMarie!” Joy exclaimed. “You’re not helping.”
    Marie shrugged.
    â€œToo bloody right I wouldn’t have come,” I hissed at them both, trying hard not to attract