Chapter Sixteen

Devin pulled up a box for me to sit on. He lit the candle and sat down opposite me, blocking the way into the store.

I thought of the bathroom window. I’d have to climb onto the back of the toilet, then wiggle out. I’d never be able to do it in time.

“You look beautiful,” he said. He didn’t seem to notice that I was crying.

“Champagne, dahling?” he asked. I didn’t answer. He pulled a bottle out from somewhere and poured us each a wineglass full.

“To our undying love!” He raised his glass. “C’mon, Frances.” He made me lift my glass. “To us!”

He threw his champagne back in one big gulp. I took a sip. It stung, and I knew he’d split my lip when he hit me.

He said, “I have to apologize to you.” For a second I thought there was a chance. I thought he might let me go.

But he just said, “I don’t have much money since I turned down that record deal. A number of publishers are interested in my photographs, but until I decide which one I want to sign with, I’m going to be a little short of cash. I hope you’ll understand.”

He put his hand on mine. I didn’t pull it away. I just tightened up inside.

“You deserve more than this,” he said. “Some day I’ll make sure you have it. Until then, will you accept this as a token of my love?”

He put a gift on the table. I just stared at it.

“Open it,” he said.

I didn’t move.

“Open it!” he screamed. Before I could do anything, he grabbed it and tore the paper off. He was like a crazy man.

“Look, I am trying, Frances! What more can I do? Is this not good enough? Is that the problem?”

He slammed a full set of charcoal pencils on the table. The plates jumped and rattled.

“I know it’s not a diamond ring! I apologized for that! But I thought you’d like it anyway!” He glared at me.

“I do like it!” I said. I was whimpering. I had my head down. I couldn’t look at him. “I do. The pencils are beautiful…They’re the best…They must have cost a lot. Thank you very much. ”

“I hope you’ll draw something for me with them,” he said. When I looked up, he was smiling. “Now how about some food?”

I nodded. He began to carve the chicken. I realized he could kill me with that knife.

Or I could kill him.

“More champagne?” I said.