Tommy looked at it and grunted, "You keep it. Go pawn it like you did the watch." Turning his back on me, he walked away, muttering, "Goodbye Megan. I hope you learn how to be happy someday."

I went and sat on the deck until Tommy left for work. Then, after taking a shower, I dressed in a very short red skirt, with a low-cut black shirt, and a pair of red stiletto heels. I packed up my clothes, my makeup and jewelry.

As I left, I glanced into the extra room that I had set up with an easel and did my painting in. I thought about packing up...