Mildred, darling

My name is Mildred. I am a 55 year old woman with a husband, and 4 kids. I have had my 4 children with 3 different men so you could imagine that I have not had the best of luck when it comes to romance. The first 2 men I had children with were smart enough to leave me. However the third was not so lucky. My children know how violent I tend to be, and it’s not as if I try to hide it either. My children know best over anyone what I am capable of. Ever since I was a child I have committed violence. A part of the reasons for my actions have been greatly influenced by that lustful night I’ll never forget.

My husband’s name is David. David is always good to me. He is liked by everyone. People will come up to me and tell me how lucky I am to have such a caring and loving husband. While he is good, I know I am not. I will hit and scream and have even gone as far as to hurt the children right in front of his eyes.. He has tried to escape my violence many times. I’m usually not too worried though  because I know he will return. He always comes back to me. No matter what I do, he will always return. He is a trucker, so he is required to travel across the country and be away for long periods of time. The whole time he is gone I suspect him of cheating.  He was gone for 6 months at a time he returned to only tell me he actually was actually with another woman the whole time. To say I was enraged was an understatement. I have threatened his life many times before. What a fool he was to come back and reveal such news to me. Isn't he aware of what I do to cheating husbands?  

I dropped the children off at my mothers for a couple days as I can not have them getting in the way. As I drove away I could see their whimpering faces in the rearview mirror. They knew of my violent ways. They have seen many times the horror I could invoke. My children also know that David left me for another woman. I hope they gave their father a big hug recently. Because that hug was certainly the last. 

The large grandfather clock ticks loudly, filling the uncomfortable silence as I sit across the table of the corpse. 

I fold his hands with care on the dinning table as he would have them otherwise. It almost looks like he’s patiently waiting for dinner. 

“Why don’t I fix you up something, my love.” I say with a pleasant smile. 

My smile quickly turns to scowl as I spot a small drop of blood laying on the side of my cooking pot. Reminding me of what I did.

I open the lid letting the warmth embrace my face. While stirring the stew I am smelling the zucchini and peppers I had chopped up earlier. 

“I have a feeling you're really going to enjoy this dish, David. I added a very special ingredient.” 

His head bobs up to the surface. Long brown hair waving in the water. I push it down to the bottom of the pot with my spoon. 

I throw my plate down with a clatter on one end of the table and his on the other. 

“Sorry I can’t sit next to you darling, the rotting smell will spoil my appetite.” 

His lower body slumps. Falling sideways onto the kitchen floor. 

“I didn’t have to do this David. I really wish It have to be like this. If you would have just behaved like you were supposed to, I would have let you be in peace!”

With a full stomach, I abandon the crime scene and slip outside. The air is a harsh cold. I shiver, rubbing my frail arms, as I wrap my grey cardigan tighter around myself. 

All shops are closed, providing an eerie aura to the streets. The moon was not out, as the clouds were generous tonight .I was almost certain I was alone until I heard heavy footsteps trail behind me, as a man, abundant in height, moves in the shadows. His footsteps ring a sound of familiarity in my mind. However I just can't place it. He quickens with every step to match my pace. With my eyes straining from squint, I try to make out even the most basic features of this man. Even though he is making a conscious effort to dodge the street lights, his large hunched stature is obvious, and his hair appears to be a scruffy brown and shoulder length.

Should I turn around and go back home? If I do, that means I’d have to face the horrific scene again. He has been following me for a while now. If I go left, he goes left as well. There is no escaping him. I want to go home but he is not allowing me to do so. I wish this strange man would just leave me alone. What could he possibly want with an old woman such as myself? I grow more sick with every step. I know that something bad is going to happen. 

Unexpectedly, he starts walking slowly towards me. As he grows closer a sliver of light moves across his face. Revealing to me the last face I thought I would ever see tonight. My face turns as white as the ghost in front of me. I notice a large jagged knife that's not typically used for cutting vegetables resting in his hand. 

“Mildred, darling.”

“David?” I whisper with a tremor in my voice. 

His smile grows wide and twisted. I feel as though I am going to throw up, my stomach grows sick. There he is, my husband, David. On the other side of the street, smiling at me.