MENDED WINGS... episode 17

     Joel switched off the light as usual of him whenever he wanted to bed his wife. He lay in bed atop her, a large duvet covering them.
     Ella stealthily swiped underneath her pillow and reached for the flashlight she had carefully placed under the left edge previously. She didn’t care if putting on light would upset him. She just wanted the light on. If there were nothing to hide, there’d be no problem. She held the lamp in her right hand and turned it on.
     Joel froze as though he was a thief caught in the act. “Switch it off,” he shouted and stretched his hand to take the lamp, which Ella quickly moved away from him while directing the light at him.
     “Why love darkness?” she said, flashing the light at his body.
     Joel shot up subconsciously to snatch the lamp, removing the blanket off them. Ella threw the lamp further and scurried off the bed, running toward the light switch on the wall, which she put on as soon as her fingers reached it. The whole room lightened up.
     “What!” Ella’s eyes dilated as her eyebrows shot up. “What is that?” She pointed to the dildo fitted to Joel’s pubic area. “How is this possible? What is this?” she screamed.
     Joel rushed at her and covered her mouth. “You’re screaming. It’s almost midnight.”
     Ella slapped his hand off her mouth and stepped away from him. “I won’t keep quiet until you explain to me what is going on here.”
     Joel loosened the toy and removed it from over his flaccid male organ. “I’m sorry, Ella.”
     Ella burst out crying. “Sorry for what? Is this what you’ve been doing for almost a year that we’ve been married? No wonder I was never pregnant. I knew it. I knew something wasn’t right. You were always lacking in emotions when it got to that. I thought you were being over spiritual, I never knew you have a problem.”
     “I don’t have a problem. Keep your voice down.”
     “You don’t have a problem? Then tell me why you’ve been using this demonic object from the pit of hell on me all this while.”
     “Keep your voice down.”
     “Stop telling me to keep my voice down. How dare you? You wicked liar. How dare you fool me?”
     “Ella, be patient, I can explain.”
     “Then explain. But don’t tell me to be patient.”
     “It’s not that I don’t want to be natural. It’s just that I uh u-uh.”
     “It’s just that you are what? What is wrong with you? Why didn’t you tell me before you married me?”
    “Were you not lusting after my look? Isn’t my physical appearance satisfying enough for you?”
    “Who was lusting after you? Who cares about your physical appearance? Would that make me pregnant?”
    “That’s your cup of tea. You got what you wanted.”
    “How dare you talk to me like that? You are a son of the devil.”
His blood boiled. “Watch your tongue, Ella.”
    “You should rather obey yourself. Who are you to tell me a thing? You, impotent liar.”
    “Don’t let me do what I don’t want to do. Watch your tongue.” Fury welled up his throat.
    “What will you do? You can do nothing. I’m going to tell everyone, starting from the senior pastor to the least member of the church that you’re impotent, nothing but a dead horse, if you don’t show me otherwise right away. Prove yourself if you’re man enough.”
    “You can’t do that, Ella. Even if I’ll prove myself, it can’t be tonight. Give me some time.”
    “Some time to do what?” She hissed and walked to the other side of the room. “I was wondering why you never allowed the lights on, never knew you were hiding. Your secret is out and I’ll tell as many people as I can that their beloved pastor is such a useless husband.”
     Joel dashed at her and landed a slap on her face. “I told you to watch your mouth.”
     Ella screamed and hit his arm. “You slapped me. You’ll regret this.”
     Joel pushed her against the wall and hit her as much as he could. Ella retaliated as her strength permitted her. She was weaker. Her punches were no match for his. And despite how much she clawed his body, he wouldn’t stop beating her. He had crossed his elastic limit.
     Joel hands went cold as he realized Ella wasn’t fighting back anymore. She lay on the floor still, her eyes shut.
     “Ella, Ella.” He shook her. “E-l-l-a,” he screamed. “Lord, please have mercy,” he said repeatedly.
     He stood up and ran into his closet, his arms stained with blood from the bruises he had sustained. He rummaged the wardrobe and picked a t-shirt and a trouser. He wore the cloth hurriedly, picked a dress for his wife, and with it, covered her naked body. He lifted her head and carried her outside to her car.