"Tricia!" Ike's voice came booming from the bedroom. "Hurry up in there… everything's almost ready!"

Tricia felt tears coming to her eyes as she heard her husband's voice. "Why does he have to be so belligerent?" She wondered aloud, staring at her honey blonde good looks in the bathroom mirror. Her short pink baby-doll nightgown gave her a little girl appearance that was not contradicted by the gleaming curls of her golden hair that fell softly to her shoulders. During the day she usually wore it pulled back in a black velvet bow, but at night she always let it fall in bouncing curls that framed her delicate features. This was an "order" from Ike, who insisted that she always look a certain way when she came to bed. At first Tricia hadn't minded at all, being flattered that Ike paid so much attention to the way she looked. It had seemed wonderful to have a husband who cared so much about her, and such details as her hair and clothing. However, as time passed, she came to realize that there was really little to be flattered about. It was all some kind of formula for him. She was like a grown-up doll that he liked to dress in certain ways, and then he would force her to do exactly what he wanted!

Tricia splashed cold water on her face, and then applied a skin freshener with a cotton ball. Her clear blue eyes sparkled beneath the heavy water dotted lashes as she thought about Ike telling her he had a "surprise" for her tonight! She didn't want any more surprises. In their short six-month marriage, she had already had enough. He was always coming home from his job at the TV repair shop at night with some new gimmick, and Tricia was afraid that he had something especially obnoxious planned for this evening.

"Tricia! Did you hear me?"

"Yes, Ike, I'll be right out… just a minute!" she replied. It was depressing, she thought as she sprayed herself with Ma Griffe perfume… she had counted on having a nice quiet evening on the night before they left for the country.