Juliana found this to be the hardest time of day. For the next few minutes she would try to predict how her evening would play out. There really weren’t many scenarios--in fact, only three. It would be an evening of time out, an evening of her being his own personal punching bag, or it would be a night of him claiming his territory as a man and a husband. After all this time, the sad reality was she would rather be beat than have him abuse her body in that way.

Enough of this lollygagging, dinner would be late if she didn’t get her act together. She thought she deserved whatever he could dish out, if she didn’t hurry. After all this time, she knew better. Over the next hour, Juliana took the cold supper from the table and reheated it at least a half dozen times. At this rate, supper would be ruined and she would end up wearing it. Finally, a knock came from the door. Juliana smoothed back her hair and hurried over to the door. To her surprise, it wasn’t Gary she looked up at.

The expression on the officer’s face said it all. There was no doubt whatsoever Gary was gone for good. The officer ran a hand over a mass of blonde hair before telling her there was no need to identify the body. The explosion had erased any chance of that. He handed her a badly charred watch the driver had been wearing, along with a wedding band. They were Gary’s, she was sure of it.

Juliana flinched when the officer touched her shoulder. She knew he merely intended to comfort her, but it didn’t stop the reaction. He handed her his card.

“Call me if I can help in any way,” were his parting words.

Quite some time later, after the officer left, Juliana moved from her place at the table. When she finally stood, she walked from room to room, reveling in her newfound freedom. Did she dare go into his office? Juliana laughed out loud, startling herself, hearing the foreign sound. When was the last time she had laughed? She couldn’t remember.

Juliana turned the handle of the door, cautious to not make a sound. Once again she laughed, flinging it open. She’d lived here with Gary for seven years and had never set foot in this room. The door had never been locked; she could have walked in any time she wanted. Fear was a bigger deterrent than any lock could have been. The room felt cold, as cold as the man who usually sat behind the simple wooden desk. On the wall hung a picture of Gary. His steel gray eyes looked like they were following her around the room. She thought he’d been so handsome with his premature salt and pepper hair. A shiver ran up her spine and she ran from the room, closing the door behind her. Like a mouse being stalked by a big old alley cat, Juliana’s eyes darted in every direction. He can’t hurt you anymore. What are you supposed to do now?