A woman's dilemma - Episode 14

Francesca:

"Mommy!" I gasp and nearly lose hold of the glass of vodka in my hand. I shouldn't be drinking in my state but how do I numb the daily pain in my chest? I shakily drop the glass on the dining table and turn around. Ola hops towards me with a huge smile. I feel my lips curling into a smile of my own. He's one good thing I got from this marriage.
"My baby." I hug him into my chest and cover his chubby face with kisses. He giggles and joy fills the dark crevices of my heart.
"Mom! You have lipstick all over my face." He laughs out but doesn't even pull away from me. He loves the attention. I catch Francis' standing figure out in the living room. He has a giant scowl on his face. He catches my gaze and starts to walk to the dining room. I know that look in his eyes.
"Baby, I think you should go upstairs now." I pull away from my boy and push him lightly towards the staircase. His smile falls and his eyes water. I gulp down the giant ball in my throat and my eyes don't leave Francis'. It's been a month since I saw this look in Francis' eyes. Yes, he has been ignoring since I told him I wasn't satisfied with this marriage but the bruises and cuts ceased.
"Mommy? You're crying." I bring my eyes back to Ola and see that he's still standing beside me.
"Mom?" My hand goes up to my face and I find it wet with tears. I wipe it off ferociously.
"Mommy's fine

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/a-woman-s-dilemma

. Can you go upstairs. Please. Go on!" I snap the last part at him and he looks scared now. He follows my eyes to Francis who's now in the room with us. I push Ola's shoulder to get him moving. Francis has never hurt his son before but that look he has is now leveled on Ola.
"Go! Now!" Ola finally starts moving but when he gets to the entrance, Francis blocks his path. My son looks so small in front of his fuming father.
"Francis let him leave." I say firmly. Francis squats and grabs Ola's little collars and my heart tightens with fear.
"Mommy?" Ola voice shakes with fright.
"What are you doing Francis?!" I grab my son's hand to pull him away from Francis but he doesn't let go.
"Let him go Francis!" I grind out. My anger starts to rise. He can't hurt my son too. Francis must see the murderous look in my eyes because he lets go of Ola but grabs my hair instead.
"Go ahead! Defend him!" His fist lands across my face and I fall to the ground with the strength of it. I see stars and try to shake the pain off. I taste blood in my mouth but what I'm concerned about is my son. I pull my body up and cover Ola. The little boy is grabbing my jumpsuit for dear life while he cries hard. My heart breaks with it all.
"Look at this! Your son can't even write! He's stupid just like his mother! Do you know who took the first position in his class? My opponent's grandson! That old goat had the chance to gloat at me." He throws an envelope at me. It's Ola's results. Christ! I should have taken my son to get his results so Francis wouldn't see it.
"Mommy!" Ola continues wailing. I grind my teeth hard. Francis grabs my hair and pulls me up with it.
"That's enough!" I scream with everything within me and push him. He staggers back and I take the opportunity to grab my son and fly out of the dining room. Francis is hot on our tail before long. Ola's wailing gets louder when Francis gets a hold of his little arm. I stop running and try to retrieve my son from Francis.
"Let go!" I scream at him. His face contorts with anger and with his free hand he starts to take off his belt. My heart beat spikes up.
"I won't let you spoil my son for me." He rants just as loud banging on the door gives him pause. The both of us stand with our eyes to the door. The knocking stops only to start again. This time the door shakes on it's hinges.
 Francis looks down at his belt then the door. He cusses under his breath but drops Ola's hand.
"Get the stupid door." He snaps as he flees the room and takes the stairs two at a time. I slump to the ground when he's out of sight. Ola leans into me and I hug him tight. He is shaking with the sobs racking his small body.
"Shhhh. That's enough, baby. No one will hurt you now." I say softly into his hair. The knocking gets incessant now.
"Francesca!" A female voice calls from outside. I groan. I am in no mood to deal with any fake friend today. I don't think I can put up a smile right now.
"Francesca? I'm breaking this stupid door if you don't come out right now!" I frown at Ola's calming face. None of the women I hang out with now sounds that tough. It can't be who I'm thinking.
"Frances!" I shoot up at another female voice. No way!
"Mom?" I look down to my son.
"Baby, mommy has to go out ok?"
"No." He clutches to my jumpsuit. I squat to be at eye level with him.
"I'll just be a minute. You're safe here." I say. He shakes his head and pull his hands up for me to carry him. I look back to the door then back at him.
"Okay. Mommy will take you. Just promise to not say a word of what daddy just did ok? You know he was just angry but he loves you loads right?" My son shakes his head like he's not so sure mommy is telling him the truth. I use my hands to wipe his face clean of the tears and catarrh.
"Shhhh. Our little secret?" I ask as I start to make for the door.
"Pinky swear." I entwine our fingers with a smile.

Read " Redemption " by the same author ( Ameh juliet )

. I take in a steadying breath, place my finger against my lips to remind my son to be quiet before pulling the door open. A fist almost collide with my face when I get the door fully open.
"Oh!" Claudia pulls her fist back and eyes me up and down.
"Frances!" Amy throws herself into my side and hug me tightly. I stare at Claudia open mouthed. I see one of our security guard standing behind them shaking his head at Claudia.
"She wouldn't stay at the gate. I checked them for weapons though." He defends weakly.
"Surprise, bitch!" Claudia grins. I gape at her.
"Mom! She said a bad word." Ola points accusingly to Claudia. Frances pulls away from me and both women stare at Ola like they just realize I'm not alone.
"Girls?" I finally find my voice.
"You stopped calling and changed  numbers."  Claudia accuses and I feel tears sting the back of my eyes again. I just couldn't let her find out how my life has changed.
"Claudia! Don't give her grief!" Amy slaps Claudia's arm. Claudia just shrugs at me.
"Well, won't you invite us in?" She asks. Frances grins at Ola who just clutches unto me more. What are they doing here?

So our lead characters are finally reunited.
What's next for them?