Shiver

Bill Ludlow enjoys his coffee at the dining table every morning, with his wife serving him breakfast and the fresh news paper laid on the table for him. Catherine sat on the chair across from him, sipping her own cup of tea. She was exceptionally calm that morning. She had planned a plan of attack on her husband in regards of recent development about their daughter. She was holding herself from lashing out after hearing about his one sided decision in the engagement of her daughter and his business partner's son.

"It's awfully quiet this morning ... where is everybody? Are they all still asleep?" he asked.

"No ... everyone's away ... it's just us," she said calmly.

He put down his newspaper to peek at his wife, "Really? So early? Where did they go?" Catherine put down her cup.

"Charlotte's at her swimming lesson, Charlene went to her friend's house and Landon ... well ... I sent him home last night after he hit our daughter in a fight," she looked at her husband's face to see his reaction.

"What?? Is that what Charlene told you? He hit her?" he was half believing it.

"Yes, she told me ... and I believed her, and he said it was not intentional ... so I told him to leave," she said firmly.

Bill folded his newspaper and laid it down on the table. He took off his reading glasses and thought for a moment. "I'll talk to his dad ... he'll talk some sense out of him, he won't do it again," he said emotionless.

"He won't do it again ... because he will not be seeing Charlene ever again," Catherine said.

"Oh come on, Cathy, don't be so dramatic ... you know how these kids are, they're spoiled, they're entitled, they're not used to women who talks back at them ... his own mother doesn't even say 'no' to him," he was dismissing the matter entirely.

"It's not a discussion, Bill, I'm deciding it and she's not to see that boy ever again!!" her voice was stern this time, her hands started to tremble.

"Well how on earth is that going to work? She'll be staying at the Friedman's throughout college?"

"She won't be staying there ... you're gonna have to find her another place to stay," she said.

"Oh, now you're telling me what to do? Is that it?" his tension was slowly building up.

"You were keen on the idea of marrying them in the first place?" he said.

"That was before I knew he was a 'hitter', I will not put her through something like that."

Bill shook his head, "This is not gonna fan out, Cathy, it's a done deal, she'll get her law degree, she'll work in the enterprise and they'll marry," he was not backing out on the idea.

"She doesn't want to ... I don't want her to either."

"It's not about what she wants! It's about this family! What I've been working for all my life ... for our future and our children's future!"

"No! Bill! It's about her life! I'm putting my foot down on this!" she shouted.

Bill stood up abruptly, knocking his chair down. "You're putting your foot down?? How about I put my foot on you?! I haven't done that in awhile, haven't I? And look what happens? You think you can walk all over me and putting your foot down? God damn it, Cathy! You get on my nerves sometimes!" he swiped the paper from the table. He clutched his hands to fists, Catherine was reminded on how he used to hit her when he was angry and blamed her for making her do that.

"If you so much touch one strand of my hair, I will expose you ... and your sexual rendez-vous with all your girlfriends, and I will leave you shitless and stripped down of your newly appointed office position and you can kiss your business partner goodbye," she threatened him calmly.

Bill was stunned, he was lost for words.

"I know about your side whores ... I know all of them, I have them all documented ... there are people whom I trust holding the information and they will expose them should something happens to me ... so you better be careful on what you're about to do, Bill Ludlow." she continued.

"The easiest way would be to expose you to all of your pets ... I'm sure they'll do a better job than me in destroying you," she stood up. "I don't care what you do with your whores, I'm glad they're keeping you off my bed ... but Charlene is not marrying that asshole son of your business partner or I will do something about it!"

Having the last word, she walked out of the dining room without waiting for a response from her husband. He never suspected his doting wife who was seemingly obedient and quiet had her ways in protecting herself in her vulnerable position.