The Night Wife

The night was young, and Carol patrolled the streets like the men in blue. The rings on her hand once a symbol of love and commitment now stood for imprisonment. Unable to break away due to the choking fear of not surviving on her own outside her prison. Her marriage was her cage and her husband, Sean was her warden. Her only sanctuary was the quiet moments she had to herself walking the neon-lit streets of New York City as she looked for her next job. In those time she’d pretend to be one of those twenty-something-year-old girls that had not a care in the world, someone who knew not the harsh reality of life. The night grew cold and the cropped fur coat that displayed her merchandise did not provide any warmth in the cool night. Carol’s thought of traveling abroad to the tropical islands she used to keep her warm was interrupted by the sound of a gruff voice. “How much for night babe?” Carol truly hated that she sold her body to filthy pigs like the man who hung out of his driver side window asking for her services. This is not what she envisioned her life to be after marrying the love of her life, Sean. Sighing she walked up to the man’s door and leaned over displaying her assets as he watches her every move just like a tiger watching its prey. “It’s three hundred to take me home with you and I’ll do anything your heart desire honey.” She smiled batting he lashes at him hoping he would go for the price. If she could get three hundred out of him she would make her goal, which would make her husband happy and not explode with rage for once. The man didn’t even blink before answering. “Let’s get out of here.” Walking around the car Caroled smiled a genuine smile for the first time in years. She knew that for once she would not wake up covered in black and blue.