He was so much older than she was and at 20 she thought he was everything in this world. Thomas was almost twice Phylicia’s age, of course her parents did not approve and like most young adults her parents were talking in vain. Phylicia was with Thomas since she was 17 or at least to her that’s how it was. Thomas was a contractor who came to do some work on her parents house the summer before her 18th birthday. There were guys there around her age, but that’s not what she had wanted. There was something about Thomas that set him apart from any man she had ever came in contact with even her dad.
Thomas stood in the doorway to the bedroom as Phylicia sat on the bed. He was 6′3″ 191 lbs of lean muscle. His skin the smoothest toffee and his hair the deepest brown. She looked over at him, smiled and continued to strap her heels. His dark brown eyes had always reminded her of a deer; innocent but strong, enduring. There was something about his gaze was always able to keep her captivated and at the same time put a fear in her that made her feel like without him her life was nothing. She loved this man with enough emotion she felt like the only thing capable of keeping them from each other was death.
She chose her outfit carefully wanting to stray away from the jeans and t-shirt she would normally wear. She was petite all around standing at 5′4 and still in the featherweight division but worked well with what God gave her. It was not often that she would go out without him and he did not like for her to be too many places without him.
“Phylicia, what time are you coming home?” He asked intrepidly.
“Around 11:30 or 12.” Phylicia stood up and walked over to where he was standing, cocked her head to the left and smiled. “I know you’ll miss me but try not to miss me too much I know where home is.”
He shook his head and turned around toward the kitchen. It was 8:15 p.m. and she was to meet her friends at Chili’s by 8:30. She kissed him good-bye and was gone. She returned home at 12:30 a.m. She knew that those little 30 minutes had made a big difference because she did not call. When she walked in the house shoes in hand he was sitting in the chair watching sports center. Phylicia put her things down on the end table by the door and asked him if he wanted some of her food.
“That’s what you say after you come in late and don’t call…”
That’s how the argument started. She stood in the doorway a little bruised and busted lip thinking about how dumb she was. In love with a man who although he gives her everything and anything she could possibly think she wanted he had his dark side. Her breathing heavy and her pulse racing she wanted to leave and wanted to stay. She felt like she had no where else to go if she did leave. She had left her parents house shortly after turning 19 and have not really spoke to them since then. Her friends all have places but it’s rare when she does see them. It’s not that she wanted it to be that way but more like she was slowly manipulated into believing that this man was the only person she needed in her life. Now here she is living with someone who has everything she does planned for her, someone who only allows small amounts of her time to be dedicated to her. Her idea, dreams, hopes and wants all taken down to something so small and insignificant that it seems like she cannot think for herself. As a woman she has allowed a man to break her down in the worst way.
She showered to try to relieve some of the pain in her body and crawled into bed. He was already laying in the bed and watching sports center. Phylicia lay there wondering how much longer she could continue to live like this or what would happen if they end up bringing a child into this equation and how much different life would be in either scenario. Her body was tired, her mind was tired and she felt defeated again not even a tear would pass her through the cracks of her eyes. Thomas pulled her closer to him and instantly her body tightened up. She did not want him touching her but speaking out about it would only cause further complications. She relaxed herself and instantly fell asleep within his arms. Regardless to what happens she knows that she would always love Thomas.