I felt my cheeks flush. “Derek, that’s groceries for two weeks. I used coupons. I bought store brands like I always do. And the gift for my mom was a cozy blanket and some books. She’s been in bed for weeks.”
“Always an excuse with you. You know what your problem is, Olivia. You don’t understand the value of money. You’ve never had to struggle. You just spend and spend without thinking about consequences.”
That wasn’t fair, and he knew it. I worked part-time at the library, and every penny of my paycheck went into our joint account. I clipped coupons. I shopped sales. I wore the same clothes for years. But Derek had been saying things like this more and more lately, and I’d learned that arguing only made it worse.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered, because that’s what he wanted to hear. “I’ll be more careful.”
“Sorry isn’t enough anymore.” He grabbed his car keys from the dresser. “Get dressed. We’re going out.”
He said we were going to my mother’s house. That she needed a visit. Derek never volunteered for the drive to my mother’s house. He usually found excuses to stay home. But I was so relieved that he seemed to be calming down that I didn’t question it. I just got dressed in jeans and a sweater, grabbed my purse, and followed him to the car.
The drive started normally. Derek turned on the radio and didn’t say much. But after about twenty minutes, I realized we were heading south instead of east, toward a part of town I didn’t recognize.
“Derek, this isn’t the way to my mom’s house.”
“I know,” he said simply.
My stomach started to feel tight. The buildings around us were getting more rundown. The streets were emptier. We passed abandoned warehouses and empty lots full of weeds. Finally, Derek pulled over at a bus stop on a deserted street corner. There was nothing around except old buildings with boarded-up windows and a liquor store with bars across the street.
“Get out,” Derek said.
“What? Why?”
