Beware!

“Beware.” It isn't a normal thing for a stranger in an elevator to say. She moves as far away as possible in the small space. The other woman doesn't look crazy but one never knows.

“Excuse me?” She clings to her purse, her back against the corner of the elevator.

“You must be careful. You mustn’t trust him.”

“Trust who?” Why is she even entertaining this? She glances at the top of the elevator to see they are still three floors away from the ground floor.

“The man who will soon ask for your hand. You love him, yes? I understand that but you mustn’t trust him. He isn't who you think he is.”

“Rob?” He is going to propose! Wow. Wait, how does this stranger know this?

“I don't know his name, just that he isn't to be trusted.”

“I don't know you. You don't know me. How would you…”

“Sometimes, God shows me something about a stranger, something they need to know.”

“This is crazy. I don't believe you.” Her arms go tight around herself as she glares at the other woman.

“Suit yourself. It isn't my job to make you. Just to tell you.”

The elevator reaches the ground floor and the doors open. With immense relief, she exits. Looking back, she doesn't see the weird stranger. A shudder goes through her as she hurries out of the building and to her car.

She almost forgot about the queer encounter a week later when she goes out on a special date with Rob.

It is a fancy dinner with real napkins and candles on the table. Her heart beats faster as she recalls what the woman had said. Was this it? A proposal? The rest of the warning she ignores. She had to have been crazy.

“Baby, you know how much I love you. It is time for us to make this official,” he pulls a ring out of his pocket, “ will you marry me?”

There is no hesitation. “Absolutely. I will!” She puts out her hand and he slips the ring on. They kiss and it is official. They are engaged.

After telling their family and friends, the wedding plans begin. It is a whirlwind time. The crazy situation in the elevator is completely forgotten. She has no room for anything but him and their wedding plans.

It is soon the day. Her father takes her arm. “Are you sure? We can always leave.”

For half a second, she hears the echo of the voice. “Beware!”

Mentally, she shrugs it off. “Dad, he is my everything. Of course I am sure.”

The first time he hits her is on their honeymoon. She wore the bikini she brought for it and another man saw her. It was enough to set him off.

“Forgive me. Oh my love, forgive me. I just couldn't handle anyone else seeing you.”

She forgave him and wore a cover-up from then on. It is the first of many compromises she will make.

No matter how many times and ways she works to make him happy, it is never enough. There is always something that isn't right, something that triggers his hand or fists.

Pride and stubbornness kept her there, kept her excusing him. Makeup and careful clothing covers the cuts and bruises.

“Why don't you leave him?” This from a friend of hers. They sit talking over coffee.

“What do you mean?” She pulls at her sleeve. It is a nervous habit she has picked up, even if there isn't a bruise on her arm, unusual.

Her friend reaches across the small round table and pushes her other sleeve up. A huge purple and red bruise covers most of her upper arm.

“This,” her voice cracks, “I fall and…”

“Stop it! Stop making excuses, covering for him.”

“You don't understand.”

“Don't I?” She shakes her head, “I saw the same types of bruises on my mom. It took my dad almost killing her for her to wake up. What is it going to take you?”

She drops her eyes. “He promised never to do it again. I just make him so mad. He loves me so much that he can't…”

“Damnit! He actually has you blaming yourself. It isn't your fault and without help, he will never stop.”

It isn't that she doesn't think about what she said. She ponders it at night as he sleeps beside her. Her thoughts keep her awake, if her latest injuries don't. Every time she gets close to leaving him, he does something that makes her remember why she married him. Something that makes it easy to do what she wants to anyway, forgive and forget.

It comes out of the blue. Over the last few months, her bruises have faded. He seemed to be a different person. He brings her flowers and candy. Is gentle to her, giving her sweet kisses and making love to her not just seeking his own pleasure.

She believes the worst is over. Maybe he won't hurt her anymore.

He will be happy, that is what she thinks. She makes a special dinner, dresses up, and waits for him to come home.

They are talking quietly together. She believes it is the perfect time. With a smile, she pulls the box out.

“I have a present for you.”

He smiles as he takes it. Opening it, he frowns at the strange stick inside.

“What?”

“We are going to have a baby.”

It is the last thing she remembers.

Coming to herself, she finds herself in the hospital. The woman standing beside her monitoring her vitals. Through her almost fully closed eyes, she looks at her. Something clicks.

“You,” she can barely talk, her throat is injured by the strangulation, “I know you.”

“You do. Be in peace dear heart, you will soon be joining your son.”

“What? My son?”

“He is already in heaven. You soon will be.”

“You warned me. You were in the elevator. A guardian angel?”

“I couldn't do less than warn you.”

She takes her hand and leads her home.