You were in your own home resting on a Saturday afternoon when you heard someone knocking on the door so softly that if you weren't alert you wouldn't have heard it. You got up from the sofa and when you opened the door you found a small female figure with jet hair and a sad look looking at you with a certain shyness. You could tell by the way she was dressed that she was cooking something because her apron was stained with something that looked like chocolate
"Neighbor, I-I'm sorry to bother you at this hour and... I'm really embarrassed to have to do this but..." She fiddles with her flowered skirt shyly as she seemed to be looking for courage to speak "Can't you give me some butter? It's just that I'm making a chocolate cake and I didn't remember I was out of it..."
Oh, hello, miss... please excuse my attire I'm wearing a t-shirt and fleece shorts I was taking a nap... yes, of course, wait a minute... I run to the refrigerator and get the butter, a whole package here you go... I smile at her excuse my boldness, but I'd love to try your cake when it's ready... oh, my manners, excuse me! I'm still half asleep: my name is Frank, nice to meet you I extend my hand
"Oh... th-thank you so much, Frank..." she said as he handed her the butter. Her cheeks flushed slightly as she accepted it. "My name's Lissa." She smiled softly at him before looking down shyly again. "It's very nice to meet you." She thought for a moment and then added, "Um... You don't mind if I use your kitchen to finish the cake? My oven isn't working properly."
I look at her, impressed by her beauty and her melancholic, sad expression Oh... of course, Lissa, absolutely! That's my kitchen; go to your apartment, bring what you need, and I'll be waiting here... what's more, if you need a helper... I smile warmly at her, and she smiles back
She smiled softly at him before looking down shyly again. "Um... Th-thank you." Her heart raced as she thought about finishing her cake in his kitchen with him nearby. It was a strange feeling, something she hadn't experienced in a long time. Gathering her courage, she asked hesitantly, "Would you like to stay and help? I could use the company... and it might make the time go by faster."
Nothing would make me happier than to help you, Lissa. Count on me for anything you need... go ahead, go home and get your mix and whatever else you need, I'll be waiting here with the door open.
"Thank you," she whispered softly as she turned to go back inside her house, grabbing the cake mix and other necessary ingredients. She couldn't believe he had offered to help her; it was a strange feeling, but one that made her heart race with excitement. As she returned to his kitchen, Lissa tried to steady her nerves and prepare herself for spending time with Frank B65.
She glanced over at him as he waited patiently on the couch in his living room, watching TV. His attire was casual yet somehow made him look even more attractive than usual. Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to focus on her task and not the handsome man just a few feet away from her.
"So," she said hesitantly, once she had finished setting everything up in his kitchen, "do you enjoy baking?"
I go to the kitchen and stand next to her Oh, yes, I like it, and I like to cook too, and I'm pretty good at it... You know, Lissa, my parents divorced when I was very little. My mom had to work and had two jobs, so I hardly ever saw her. I had to learn to cook for myself and my little sister, and I learned everything from my grandmother, who used to take care of us. So yes, I like baking, and I'd really like it if you'd let me help you... I smile at her
She looked up at him, surprised by his story. "That's... that's very sad," she murmured, feeling a pang in her chest. It made sense to her why he was so good with cooking and baking; he had grown up doing it for himself and his sister. "Well, um..." She cleared her throat awkwardly before continuing, "I could use the help... I-if you're sure you don't mind."
"Thank you," she added softly, not quite able to meet his gaze. The silence that fell between them was uncomfortable, but somehow also strangely comforting. Lissa found herself wishing they could just stay like this forever, talking and sharing stories without any pressure or expectations.
But of course, reality wasn't so kind. Eventually, they would have to finish making the cake and then go back to their separate lives
Lissa, listen to me... I look her straight in the eyes I'm not only good at cooking, but also, being alone for so long, I've become very intuitive... I'm sorry for being so direct and bold—after all, we just met—but you seem sad... down... Do you want to tell me what's wrong? Don't worry, I'm not here to judge or condemn you, I just want to help... if you're okay with it, of course. I put a hand on her shoulder and see that her eyes are on the verge of tears
Tears welled up in her eyes as he spoke; it was strange and overwhelming to feel so understood by someone else. She knew she should push him away, pretend that everything was fine, but for some reason, she couldn't bring herself to lie anymore. "I-it's m-my husband," she stammered out, taking a shaky breath as the words left her mouth. "He's... he's always gone, and when he is home, he's just mean to me..." Her voice cracked on the last word, barely more than a whisper.
She wiped at her eyes with the back of her hand before continuing in a firmer tone, "And I know it's my fault. I-I gave up everything for him... I should have stood up to him, been stronger..." Her chest tightened as she thought about all the years she had spent alone,
Seeing her cry, I hug her and for a long moment, we don't say anything. It's OK, Lissa, it's OK... let it all out... get all the pain out... it's okay to cry and let it all out, it will do you good... say all you have to say, scream it if you need to... I'm here with you, keeping you company and listening to you, I won't leave you alone...
As she sobbed into his shoulder, the weight of her emotions finally breaking free, she felt a strange sense of comfort and safety that she hadn't experienced in years. She clung to him, burying her face in his neck as the tears continued to flow unchecked. "I-I'm so sorry," she stammered out between ragged breaths. "I'm such a mess..."
"No," he whispered firmly into her ear, cupping her head with one hand and running the other gently up and down her back. "You are not a mess, Lissa. You are human. You have feelings. You deserve better than what you are going through." His voice was strong and reassuring, and for the first time in forever, she believed him.
I don't know what to do... I can't leave him... I have nowhere else to go... he takes care of everything... I'm nothing without him... I just want someone to love me, to want me... I thought maybe if I made a cake or something, it would make things better... but it only makes me more pathetic.
She lifted her head slightly, wiping at her red-rimmed eyes with the back of her hand before taking another shaky breath. "I'm sorry... I don't know why I'm telling you all this..."
Lissa, I know it's difficult right now, but listen to me... or rather, listen to yourself: he's never home... when he is home he mistreats you, I suppose psychologically... you try to do things to please him and he doesn't pay attention to you or he despises you... I suppose things have been like this for quite some time, right? Answer this question to yourself honestly: are you happy with him?
She paused for a moment, considering his words. "No," she whispered at last. "I'm not happy... I've never been happy... but I thought that if I was just patient enough, if I tried hard enough to be what he wanted me to be..." She trailed off, shaking her head sadly. "But it's never enough."
I see... I figured as much... I think for a while, still hugging her Tell me, Lissa, and once again I ask you to be honest with yourself... if you had somewhere to go... if you had someone to help you... would you dare to divorce him?
The thought had never really occurred to her before; leaving Eric was out of the question. Without his money and support, she would have nothing. But as she imagined it now, with someone like Frank holding her and promising he'd help her if she needed it... it didn't seem quite so impossible anymore. "I-I don't know," she whispered, her voice barely audible even to herself. "It's never been an option before."
"Maybe it should be one now?" I suggested gently, kissing the top of her head "You deserve better, Lissa... you really do." He held her for a few more moments longer, their connection growing stronger with every passing second. Finally, he released her and stepped back, giving her some space to breathe. "You dont have to answer right now. Take all the time you need. And when you answer that question, we'll see about it... In the meanwhile, let your mind work on the problem. Now, let's finish this cake and talk about something else, shal we?"
She nodded slowly, still not quite able to meet his gaze. "Okay..." Her voice was barely a whisper, but he seemed to hear it anyway. Together, they turned back to the kitchen, finishing up the cake in silence, each lost in their own thoughts as they worked. As she continued to stir the batter and spread it into the pan, Lissa couldn't help but wonder what might happen if she took Frank B65 up on his offer...
Well, this is going to be a very nice cake... you're good at this, Lissa. Is this what you do for a living? Or do you have any trade, or a profession? i smile at her
"No... I don't really do anything. Eric... my husband took care of everything... he didn't like me working." Her voice trailed off as she finished pouring the batter into the pan and slid it into the oven. "I just sort of let him decide what I should do with my life," she murmured, looking down at her hands. "And now..." Now that she had said it out loud, it seemed even more impossible to go back to the way things were before, no matter how much she might want to.
"Now what?" Frank asked gently, sitting down next to her on the kitchen stool. "You don't have to stay with him just because you don't know any other way." He paused, then added softly, "I can help you find a job or something else if that would make things easier for you."
What do you say, Lissa? I have a friend -shes from Argentina, just like me- that recently started her own bakery shop here in this town; it's a small place, but it's doing well and growing... and she needs help... would you like me to tell her about you?
I don't know... It sounds nice, but I don't want to leave Eric alone if he needs me... He isn't always there for me, but he is my husband after all... Maybe we can try talking about things once more, maybe he will change his mind.
Oh, I see... Its OK, Lissa. I understand. Do as you see fit. I'll be here for whatever you need... don't hesitate to call me whenever you want. I lower my gaze sadly and walk towards the living room. I stare out the window at the street. Oh, that cake smells delicious...
Thanks...I appreciate it... Maybe I'll take you up on your offer sometime... the cake should be ready soon if you want to taste it... it was nice talking with you too. She smiles at him weakly and walks over to put the dishes in the sink before sitting down opposite of him, watching TV as they wait for the cake to finish baking.
Lisa
I call her suddenly, my voice expressionless
Come here to the window, please... We're on the third floor; across the street, down below, there's a man with a blonde woman. They're kissing and laughing as they talk. Isn't that... isn't that your husband?
Lissa looks at the couple and pales
Oh my God... he promised me he'd be working all weekend... that bitch... I knew she couldn't keep her hands to herself for long... her eyes are full of tears
I knew it... I knew he'd find someone better to take care of him... stupid me, believing him... why can't he just leave me alone? Why do I have to put up with this crap? I wish I could just disappear...
I place my hand on Lissa's shoulder, but she is angry and, through tears, blames me for what is happening, slapping me; she immediately realizes what she is doing and apologizes
Oh no... I'm sorry... you didn't deserve that... it's just that seeing him with her like that... it hurts so much...
Don't worry, Lissa... I can imagine how you must feel... nothing's happened... Lissa cries and I try to calm her down; I see through the window that her husband and the blonde get into a car and drive away Well... they're gone now. Lissa, let's get out of here. Let's go somewhere to get some fresh air and clear our heads...
Oh... okay... maybe that would be good. Let's just go somewhere quiet where we won't see anyone else from our neighborhood... I just want to be alone and think.
I see the cake is ready, I take it out of the oven and turn off the gas. This looks like it turned out well... I'll leave it here to cool... I run to my room to get dressed. Okay, Lissa, let's go. I lend her a jacket to keep her warm, because it's a cool evening; we go outside and get in my car; I start it and drive. Lissa isn't crying anymore but she's looking out the window, her eyes red and expressionless. Lissa... say something... it breaks my heart to see you like this...
It's okay... really. I just need some time... to think... about everything. She pauses, looking down at her hands Eric wasn't always like this, you know? When we first met, he was sweet and attentive... but I guess that's what he does to reel you in. He shows you the good side... makes you believe in him... and then once you're hooked, he starts showing his true colors.
And by then it's too late; you're already invested... and there's nowhere else for you to go. I wish I had never let myself get so dependent on him... but I was so lonely, and he was always there, telling me how much he loved me, how he would take care of everything... that he only wanted the best for me.
I know it sounds pathetic now, but I really did believe him... until he started showing his true colors. It was like a slow realization that I didn't want to face, but the more I tried to deny it, the more obvious it became... and then I just felt so trapped. Like there was no way out. And now... now that I have seen him with her... Her voice trails off as tears begin to stream down her cheeks again. She wipes them roughly away, trying to compose herself before continuing.
It's funny, you know? All this time, I was the one who felt like a failure, like there was something wrong with me... when really, it was him all along. He just didn't want to admit it, because then he would have to take responsibility for his actions. And that's what I need to remember... that it wasn't my fault. It was never