Beautiful Nightmares (The Asylum Trilogy) Read Online Free PDF Page B

know my husband. I used to think he was a very complex man, but I don’t think that so much anymore.
    I know he’s afraid. He’ll never admit it, but I know his fear stems from issues with his own father and him not wanting to turn out that way.
    I think his fears are ridiculous though.
    Elijah has told me stories about his father and I know with certainty that Elijah is nothing like him. His father was brutal, tyrannical, callous, and vicious. Elijah couldn’t be more opposite. He is a good, kind, loving yet guarded man.
    He’s sleeping when I arrive home and I decide to wait for him in the kitchen. I take a seat at our circular table, unable to hide the smile pulling at my lips. I don’t have to wait very long. About twenty minutes after I’ve taken my seat, Elijah strolls into the kitchen, scratching the back of his head and staring at me, puzzled. “What are you so excited about?” he asks, a hint of amusement in his deep voice.
    I’m beaming as I slide the paper across the table that the doctor gave me. “I have some wonderful news,” I say and try not to squeal.
    Elijah opens the refrigerator door and pulls out the milk as he swipes the paper from the table with his right hand. He’s looking at me out of the corner of his eye as he chugs the milk and raises the paper to be level with his eyes.
    “And what news might that be, Mrs. Watson?”
    “I’m pregnant!” I blurt the words out with so much force that I practically scream them. But I don’t care. I’m too excited to contain myself.
    I wait for Elijah to partake in this joyous occasion, and I’m not prepared for the reaction he gives me.
    I’m not prepared to watch the amused look fall from his face. I’m not prepared to watch as the glass jug of milk to slip out his grasp and shatter all over the tiled checkerboard kitchen floor. And I’m definitely not prepared for him to look at me, disappointed, like the pregnancy is all my fault.
    Now the smile I was wearing fades from my lips.
    I slouch down in my chair.
    And I’ve never felt so alone in such a happy occasion.
     
    “What’s wrong with you?” I snap. “This is wonderful news and you’re acting like I’ve just given you a death sentence.”
     
    He doesn’t make eye contact, but instead looks at his watch. The silver band gleams beneath the kitchen lights and I find my eyes drawn to it too. It distracts me for a moment, but then I blink and keep my eyes centered on Elijah’s face. He folds his arms and drops his gaze to the floor. “It is wonderful news,” he comments. But his voice has a somber tone to it and to me that indicates that he’s anything but happy.
     
    “You’re lying.” I get up from my chair and take two strides, coming to a halt in front of him. “Look me in the eye and tell me you’re as excited as I am.”
     
    He doesn’t. He continues staring at the floor. I watch him. His gaze seems lost. It’s like his eyes are floating a top the white and black tile floor. It seems like if I don’t offer him a life-vest he’ll sink. “I am happy,” he reassures me, but his voice sounds like anything but reassuring.
     
    We rarely fight and if we do, we make up minutes after. But this is something worth fighting for to me. “I can’t believe you!” I raise my voice and before I can control myself, I’m screaming, “I get the best news of our lives today and you’re acting frigid about it!” I poke him in the chest with my pointer finger. “We’re going to be parents. It’s a beautiful thing. Please snap out of this foul mood and embrace it. Please try and be happy about it.”
     
    It’s at that point that he makes eye contact with me. “You don’t understand.” His voice is low and there’s grit in it and I know that he’s angry.
     
    “What do you mean I don’t understand?” I bark back.
     
    “You don’t understand what my childhood was like, I—”
     
    At that point I cut him off with, “You’ve got to be kidding me!” I stomp my