title: Leaving Martha
author:  Ella Sandwell 
description: Ella Sandwell writes autobiographical lesbian romance. Word by word, letter by letter, her books tell her biography. Updates and the latest information can be found on www.ellasandwell.com
zlib_text: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ##
  
  
  
  
  
  “You were leaving.” His voice was soft, his tone not dismayed or disappointed,
  but disillusioned. “Without saying goodbye. And you weren’t coming back.”
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  And finally she had no choice but to face him. The lie was there, ready to
  come out—I needed a break. Just a few days. Charleston or Savannah or
  Beaufort. I would have been back later in the week. But all she did was nod.
  
  
  
  
  
  It was as if something in him snapped. He advanced on her, backing her against
  the wall, not touching her but holding her there all the same, his body mere
  inches from hers, his hands on the wall on either side of her head, his face
  bent to hers. “Why?” he demanded, the question all the more fierce for its
  low, insistent tone. “Because of Martha? Who was she, Ellie? What did she want
  from you? Where were you going? What about us?”
  
  
  
  
  
  She took a breath, shallow and painful, and whispered, “There is no ‘us.’”
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ##
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Dear Reader,
  
  
  
  