Share
Biting Off More
Lady luck stayed on my side for a little while. The shooting range that used to operate in town was closed permanently. Jax was upset when he found out about it, but I placated him a little bit telling him that I was sure we could find another one. I knew that if Jax ever got that gun on a range he would find out quickly that someone had removed the firing pin. It did not take a genius to know exactly who he would blame either.
Jax decided not to open carry his newest toy. I admit it was a relief knowing that he did not carry it with him. Even without a firing pin, Jax could use that weapon in other ways. It was a heavy gun, and if he chose to hit someone with it, he was going to do permanent damage.
Life quickly returned to normal. I kept pretending everything was good, fake smiles, fake affection, and behind that working on a way out. Jax’s drinking was steadily getting worse. To my shock this actually helpe
Related chapters
Wrong Way Up Health Crisis
It took almost three weeks for my lip to partially heal. Jax had bitten it hard enough that he left a few scars. Once again, the dynamic in the home had changed. I could no longer hide Jax’s abusive nature from the children. Isabella and Helen quickly filled the other children in on Jax’s behavior regarding his previous girlfriends. I was not sure exactly how much of their tales I should believe, but I was sure there was some merit of truth in their stories.Isabella told me about Jax’s previous girlfriend that had children. Similar to my situation she had been close to eviction. Jax had moved here and her children into the same home we now shared. The newest information that Isabella shared was that the woman had been pregnant at the time. Isabella claimed that the only reason Jax was not physically abusive to her for so long was because she was with child. According to Isabella once the baby was born it was like living i
Wrong Way Up Return of the Missing Mother
I was doing my best to keep the children occupied while Jax was being transported to the hospital. Once he reached the local hospital, they managed to stabilize him. I had called before he arrived and the friendly staff promised to keep me updated on his progress, and if they planned to transport him. It was ten at night before I finally received a call. Jax had a minor heart attack.The local physicians were able to discover that Jax had a blockage in one of his lower valves in his heart. Unfortunately, they did not have a cardiologist on hand that could perform the surgery that he needed. Jax was going to be transported to a neighboring larger city where a cardiologist was already waiting for him. The nurse was patient and answered all my questions. She explained that they were going to transport him to the other hospital, he would undergo the surgery, and then the doctors there would determine when Jax could return home. Before we got of
Wrong Way Up Gone
To say that the day was stressful would be a gross understatement of what I was feeling. I spent the rest of the night trying to calm Isabella and Helen. Isabella was terrified that she would have to go with her mother. Helen was torn, she did not remember her mother’s abuse. They had a million questions about whether they would need to change schools, and if I had any updates on their father. I hated that I could not give them concrete answers to all their questions.I did eventually get a phone call with updates about Jax. He was awake and recovering well. The nurse explained that they plan on discharging him the day after tomorrow. The nurse also explained that I would need to come to the hospital before he was discharged. Even though Jax was healing well he would need additional care at home, as well as follow up appointments with a cardiologist. I asked her if I could speak with Jax but was informed that he was currently sleeping
Wrong Way Up Homecoming
The girls were ecstatic that I had solved the problem with Crystal. They were also overjoyed when I told them that Jax was coming home tomorrow. Levi and Shawn were not so happy about it, but we decided to enjoy our last night of peace. I ordered us pizza and we decided to play a few board games with movies on the television. I figured after the miserable week that everyone had that we deserved a night of fun.Jax called before the children went to bed. He spoke with Isabella; she bragged a little about how I got rid of Crystal. Once she was done on the phone Jax asked to speak with me. He asked me if I planned on being at the hospital tomorrow. I explained to him that yes, I would be there. I relayed everything that his nurse and physician had explained to me. Jax said that he was getting tired, so we got off the phone. Everyone decided that we should go to bed early. Tomorrow was a big day, Jax was coming home.I
Wrong Way Up Forced Rehabilitation
Jax slept the entire ride home, even while I was in the drug store dropping off his prescriptions. When I pulled into the driveway, I started gathering Jax’s paperwork and belongings to take them inside. Jax was very weak and had some issues getting out of the car and into the house. I begrudgingly let him use my shoulder to help get him inside. I carefully got him into the bed and told him to rest. It was not long before Jax was asleep again.I did not mind that he was sleeping. It afforded me more time to be by myself. In less than an hour the children will be home. Jax’s condition was a little more serious than I had originally given it credit. I would need to speak to the kids about not being too noisy, and not rough housing or fighting in the house. Jax’s stress need to be kept at a minimum. I poured a cup of coffee while internally struggling with my emotions. I did not like seeing people in pain, even if they had hu
Wrong Way Up Battle of the Brains
The girls were very nervous before the visit with their mother. I installed a tracking application on Isabella’s cell phone. It would allow me to track where Crystal took the children. I ensured that they were fed before leaving. Jax stated that he was allowing Crystal to have the girls for only four hours. I argued that four hours was enough time to take them across state lines. Jax informed me that I was being paranoid, and that this was a matter to be handled between him and Crystal. Too soon the girls were whisked away, and I was left wrought with worry for their safety.I tracked the girls throughout the visit, pleased that Crystal was not leaving town with them. Both girls burst through the door with their arms filled with shopping bags. Helen was overwhelmingly in bliss. She hurried into the kitchen to tell me all about her visit with her mother. Evidently Crystal had taken the girls to several shops in town. She had bought Hel
Wrong Way Up Shattered Hope
As Jax made a full return to work, we all settled into the old routine with a few tweaks. The girls had been only staying overnight at Crystal’s house, but Jax seen fit to start giving her full weekends. He also now invited her to any school functions that the girls were involved in. Isabella told me on multiple occasions that she detested Crystal being there. She stated that Crystal made fun of her, and that she hated spending any time with the woman. Unfortunately, there was nothing I could do about the situation. Jax had made it abundantly clear that he did not want me to have anything to do with his children. He constantly made it a point to say that I was not a good role model. He would then go on to say that I was a whore, lazy, or a myriad of other foul comments.Another blessing was that Jax was now easily tired, and barely had the strength to start a fight after working. I had known before that his job was physically demandin
Wrong Way Up Unexpected Potential
When Jax had been admitted to the hospital I had taken a leave from my college classes. Once he returned to work part time, I had started my online classes again. I was able to keep up with the work, and quickly caught up on what I had missed. Now that Jax was back to work full time, I returned to college full time as well. Returning to classes also meant that I could return to group as well.I had formed warm acquaintances with most of the women at our group. Once you share the horrors of what you have endured with people, it is hard not to feel close to them. Upon my return I gave them the whole story of Jax’s ill health and why I had been away. I told them about Crystal and how she was back in their lives. I even told them about Helen and how the young girl now seemed to despise me. Jordan our group leader questioned whether Crystal was trying to use Helen to get back together with Jax. While that possibility had crossed my mind he
Latest chapter
