The Beauty Within The Beast World

Mystery dress

*Elizabeth* 

Ben stayed home today, I don't think he trusts me right now. He didn't like the fact I wasn't home on a surprise lunch visit here. I think he wants to see if I go anywhere or what I do during the day. He's not sick. He said he's fine. I have a feeling he saw me with Ricky yesterday but hasn't said anything. I'm not sure about telling him. I don't know if I should or not. If I tell him why I was there what will he do? Will he tell the cops what happened? That will put us in danger and he won't understand. He will say the police can protect us. I know they can't, not from Ricky. I can tell he's a powerful man. I'm hanging laundry up and I almost think Ricky drives past me. I tried to see in the car but the windows are tinted and I can't tell. I go inside to see if Ben wants to eat or need anything and I hear a car stop. I run to the window in hopes it is not Ricky. It's not. A delivery truck? I meet them outside so they don't knock and disturb Ben. A lady meets me on the walkway and hands me a box. I look at the paper and it only says my name. No return address or who it's from. I try to ask her but she just smiles and says she can't tell. My one and only guess is Ricky. I bring the box in and set it on the table. It's a beautiful dress. This has to be from Ricky. 

"What's that?" Ben asks. He scared me. I didn't even hear him come into the room. I was too busy thinking. 

"Uh, it's a dress. It has my name but no return address or who it's from." Ricky knows about Ben, why would he do this to me? I told him we couldn't see each other again. 

"Who would send you that?" He gives a blank look almost like he's waiting for me to say I had found someone else. But I haven't, I told Ricky I was married.

"I'm not sure. I don't know where I would even wear something like this? It's not from you? I mean, you're home today and suddenly a dress this beautiful is just being delivered?" Obviously it wasn't from him, but I had to play that off because I hope he doesn't know I was around Ricky instead of at the water like I said. 

"Nope not me." He went back upstairs to the bedroom where he's been all day. I can't believe Ricky sent this to me, why? I don't want to go anywhere today in case Ben tries to follow me but I also want to know why he would send me this. I'm glad he had someone deliver it and he didn't leave it himself. Ben was paying attention to the house, how else would he have heard the knock from the second floor with the radio on? I try to think of a way to get out without him being suspicious. 

"Could you run to the market and get more soup? I hear from behind me. Perfect. 

"Sure, anything else?" I asked, but not too eager. 

"Nope, that'd be it" He handed me the money, I just nodded my head and put my shoes on then headed out. I wondered how long it would take to make it to Ricky's and back. But I just want to chance it. I could just tell him I headed to the water again, that I wanted to skip some rocks. Or maybe meet the kids after the store and tell him I waited at the school for them. Off to the other side I go. Back to the nasty looks and all that wonderful stuff. I made it to his house, but I don't see his car. I knock anyway. Maybe he's here. A woman answered the door. It takes me by surprise. But almost like a relief because maybe he really didn't send the dress. She has long blonde hair with brown in the tips. Almost like she's dyed it that way.

"Hello, can I help you?" She asks with an almost confused look on her face. Probably because of how I'm dressed. 

"Sorry, I'm looking for Ricky? Is he home by any chance?" I asked, hopefully if this is his mistress she doesn't think I'm going to try anything. 

"No sorry, I'm his sister Rebecka, can I leave a message?" 

"Uhm, yes actually do you have a pen and paper so I can write a note quickly?" 

"Sure". She left the door open and just grabbed a little pad off the stand by the door with a pen. So I write "Thanks for the dress, but I don't have a place to wear it. I will be leaving it at the store it came from tomorrow. I really must not see you again. Goodbye Ricky." I fold the paper in half and give it to his sister. 

"Thank you." I say and walk away. She shuts the door as I'm walking down the stairs, I wasn't aware he had a sister. He never talked about her. Actually, he's never really told me anything about himself. So why do I find myself caring so much for him? I head to the market then to the school. I sit in front of the school on a bench to just think. When the kids came out I smiled and said surprise! They laughed and we all walked home. Ben was looking out the window when we got there. He saw me with the kids and just walked away. I sighed and then continued into the house. The kids changed their clothes and headed outside to play. I put the soup away and waited for the accusations to come from Ben but they didn't. He was quiet. Once again. I got dinner ready then called the kids inside to eat, they ate and did their homework like they always do. Ben didn't join us after dinner, again. Just went back upstairs. He was quiet the entire time we were at the table and then just went to bed?