Robert - Part Three

Bridget’s eyes opened with a start. It was still dark in the bedroom. Shadowy tree limbs swayed on the wall across from the window. She was laying on her stomach, and she could feel a hand rubbing gently on her lower back. Then the hand began to move south, sliding under the elastic waste of her pajama pants, attempting to insert itself between her legs. She whipped her head around to face him.

“What the fuck are you doing??” she said into the darkness across the bed. No response. The rubbing and wandering fingers continued. “Hey man, not this again. I can’t take it anymore.” She shot up out of bed, pulling the comforter with her. She was very much awake, and incredibly annoyed.

“Hey, what’s going on?” Robert said through a yawn, as if he’d been asleep the whole time.

“You know what the fuck is going on, Robert. I’ve asked you so many times not to touch me when I’m sleeping. I don’t like it. How can I make you understand?” she begged, just wanting to go back to sleep without being fondled against her will.

“I’m sorry babe, I was asleep. I must have been sleepwalking again.” 

"More like sleep-assaulting me. AGAIN"

He shrugged, seeming to think that being “asleep” somehow gave him a pass to do whatever he wanted. She wasn't buying it. Not for a second.

"Come on, I won't do it again. Just get back in bed please? It's so late." He held out a hand toward her, attempting to get her to come back to bed.

“Fine. Let’s go back to sleep.” She muttered, exhausted and bewildered, as she got back into bed. She lay on her side, facing him, as she watched him drift peacefully back to sleep. Was she crazy? Was this a normal thing that people did? It certainly didn’t feel normal. Or consensual. She rolled to her back and stared at the ceiling, watching the lights track across the popcorn stucco as cars passed on the street outside. As she finally shut her eyes and began to drift toward sleep, she felt a hand on her stomach. Her eyes shot open.