”No you didn’t!. You moved here for her didn’t you. That’s why you let me take this job so easily and why you couldn’t pick our daughter up from school! You promised me you were done seeing her. But she is here isn’t she Melvin! I’m such a fool!” Maxine screamed throwing her hands up and slamming them down on the living room table.

”Woman! You need to get a grip. You will not act like that in front of me, talk to me in that tone, and disrespect me” Melvin scolded

Maxine calmed her breathing and looked up at Melvin

”Melvin I’m leaving you and I’m taking Bette with me!” Maxine said seriously pushing passed Melvin and heading up the stairs.

Melvin laughed following behind her.

”You are going to leave me? Woman you have really lost your mind. And where are you going to go? You can’t afford to stay anywhere on your salary and where is Bette going to get her education? She is not going to these slum schools around here. You can’t afford to give her a good life or a good education. And you aren’t taking her anywhere. Over my dead body”

”If that’s your wish” Maxine replied running around throwing clothes and jewelry in her suitcase as Melvin stood between her and the door not allowing her to leave. ”Don’t underestimate me Melvin. You think I’m just your dumb wife but I’ve got news for you. Everything you think you know about me erase that from your head and if you want a fight I’m prepared to give you one. Now move away from that door right now!” Maxine ordered as she closed up her suitcase and grabbed a file box out from underneath the bed.

”What is that?” Melvin asked looking at the file box.

Maxine smiled seeing the look on Melvin’s face

”You’ll find out soon enough. But I suggest you step away from that door and let me leave with my daughter or things are about to get ugly” Maxine warned.

Seeing the seriousness in her face, Melvin stepped aside.

”Just know this isn’t over. I know the best lawyers in the state Maxine. You will not win”

Maxine turned to look at Melvin as she walked out ”I have already won” she replied then headed down the hall ”Bette let’s go!”

Bette appeared out of her room with her suitcases.

”Ok baby are you ready?” Maxine asked as Bette nodded and looked at her father standing by the bedroom door ”Lets go. Grab the keys to the car on the table ok” Maxine ordered as the two went down the stairs.

”Mom where are we going?” Bette asked grabbing the car keys and following her mother down the steps.

Maxine set her suitcases and file box down by the car grabbing the keys from Bette’s hand and opening the trunk. After throwing everything in, Maxine closed the trunk and got in the drivers seat while Bette got in the passenger seat.

”Buckle up and shut the door” Maxine ordered as Bette did as she was told.

After starting the car and driving off, Maxine felt relieved in leaving Melvin and was prepared to fight him every step of the way ”Melvin won’t know what hit him” Maxine mumbled looking in the rear view mirror and seeing Melvin standing in the street.

”What did you say Mom?” Bette asked hearing her mother mumble something but couldn’t make out what it was.

”Nothing baby. Nothing. Everything is going to be ok. Alright?” Maxine assured looking at Bette who nodded at her then turned to look back at the road thinking of a place to stay for the night.

TBC