Just the way it is
2013
The following is a work of fiction.
His hand hung in the air, palm open and rage consumed his face. She watched her world move in slow motion as his hand came towards her face and sent her head turning violently in the opposite direction. The second slap she didn’t see coming.
Her cheeks stung and tears rolled down her face as she begged and pleaded with him to stop yelling.
But she could feel the defiance and knew he saw it in her eyes. They continued their argument over the division of labor and who should be responsible for cleaning up after dinner. She didn’t think she was being unreasonable, but maybe she was. She wasn’t really sure anymore.
“Would you maybe just be willing to clear over the dishes?” She asked, her voice diminished to almost a whisper. His large hands hung at his side, but his eyes betrayed his ability to escalate if she said the wrong thing.
“I think you are perfectly capable of walking your sorry self and four measly plates over to the sink.” He spat.
She glanced up at him and for a moment saw her father and mother arguing. Her mother always cowered and she always hated her for it. But now she understood.
“Ok. You’re right. Just keep it down. I don’t want to wake the children.”
“You keep it down! You are the one who started all this!” He was yelling again, his hands curled into fists now.
Her makeup was running down her face in rivers and her cheeks were bright red as though she had spent too many hours soaking in the sun. She stifled a sob as she heard a tiny voice from the hallway.
“Mama? Mama? Are you ok?” Tiny feet made their way to her and she bent over to hug her daughter. She threw a dirty look in his direction, but was relieved to find that he had his back turned to her. If looks could kill, she thought.
“Yes, honey. Mama’s fine. You scurry back to bed.” Her little girl looked at her doubtfully, but obeyed.
When she turned around, she saw tears in his eyes. The “I’m so sorry’s” would begin now, followed by promises not to get so mad. She always melted when he cried. She told him she would forgive him, but her heart was saying otherwise.
He made her sit next to him on the couch and cuddle while they watched their favorite show. She felt stiff and unnatural, but she smiled up at him every time he laughed so she wouldn’t set him off again.
She thought maybe she should get out. Maybe there was something better. A better life somehow. Maybe she should do what her Mama never did. Maybe…
But it wasn’t always bad. Sometimes she even loved him a little. Never a lot. A lot was too dangerous.
Maybe that’s the way it’s supposed to be.
This post was inspired by the prompt for the Master Class at Sinistral Scriblings and was the last line of this post. While the entire contents described above are a figment of my imagination, I know some amazing women that have left abusive relationships and are the strongest people I know. If you would like more information on how to heal from abuse please visit The Treasured Life and find strength from one amazing woman who found her way out.
11 comments
Trackback e pingback
-
The Magicians – Master Class 2013 #6 « Sinistral Scribblings
[...] Stacey from Stacey’s Mothering Moments, wrote a wonderful piece about domestic abuse titled, “Just the Way It Is.” [...]
I had a friend who was in a relationship like this. She would complain to me often and tell me all the things she would like to do, but could never bring herself to follow through with it. I intervened on her behalf and now she and her kid are with someone else and very happy.
Eric Storch´s last [type] ..Martyrs and Stained Glass
Great job with ratcheting up the tension quickly, followed by the rationalizations. It hit a bit close to home.
Tina´s last [type] ..Resolved
I grew up in an abusive household, not this kind. But I have heard this conversations in my life, then my sister married a man that abused her for 14 years, emotionally, physically. I know what the knots in her stomach felt like, I know what it’s like to hold your breath and your tongue for fear of getting slapped..or watching someone you love get slapped, punched, hurt.
You captured the tension of that here in a way that unnerved me. I don’t have a marriage like this, but I remember what it was like to watch one like this and you did an incredible job with words and phrasing in painting the picture of the “women who stay”.
wow. Stacey. Wow.
Kir´s last [type] ..You Should Be Mine {Master Class, Scriptic}
Heart wrenching and sad. A well-done take on a desperate situation.
Powerful! There are too many women in that sort of circumstance, well written!
Perfectly told.
Been there.
I know those justifications. Nothing just about them.
My life is healthy now.
Renee´s last [type] ..Old Acquaintances
What an amazingly powerful piece! It is hard to understand what goes through someone’s mind when they are in a situation like this and I think you did a great job of giving insight into that. Also, thank you for the shout out! As you know, my goal is to help anyone avoid or escape a situation like this one.
Lori´s last [type] ..I’m a Single Mom
I’ve been in abusive relationships myself. There is nothing like feeling stuck, and somewhat comforted by the routine of it all. It’s a horrific avenue to go down, and you captured this perfectly.
Corinne´s last [type] ..The Redwoods: Part Two – [Master Class]
You captured the essence of an abusive relationship really well. It’s so sad that so many women really go through something like this.
You capture her voice and her fear well. Very good writing.
SAM´s last [type] ..Hand in Hand