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Domestic Violence
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Domestic Violence |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA 
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Domestic Violence It’s a cold January night; winter has set deep within my heart. Two impressively dressed police officers enter through the back door; the one reserved for friends. They pull me aside to question me and in their thoroughness, with flashlights, check my body for injuries. I can’t help but wonder at what point did my body go from being my own to a piece of evidence? The bruises, still red, overlap others much darker and not so recent. Each is measured and recorded. I watch as their pens flash information onto blank sheets of paper, filling one and then another with facts I don’t really wish to disclose. Even in this condition, my mind does not fail to recognize the similarity between that and my writing. One of the officers inquires if I want or need to see a doctor. I smile, wincing from the pain, and reply, “No, I’m fine.” While inside, I am dying. The younger of the two, Roy, asks “Will you press charges this time?” I think to myself, “I used to baby sit him. I grew up with his parents. Why does he have to see me like this?” Self-consciously I brush a strand of bloodstained hair away from my battered face. “Ma'am?” His partner, a middle-aged man with a kind face, looks at me questioningly. “Will you be filing charges?” “No, everything is fine,” I respond. “I’m sorry the neighbors had to bother you at all. They both look at me and shake their heads as if they expected me to say nothing different. It hurts my pride to see the sympathy in their eyes. I didn’t ask for that, nor did I ask for this!! “Ma'am, if there’s nothing else we can do for you, I guess we’ll be going now.” I smile, courteously thank them for all their help and walk them to the door. “Are you sure you’ll be okay?” they question me once more. I simply nod my head up and down and watch as they turn to go. “PLEASE DON’T LEAVE ME,” my mind shouts...but the words fail to escape my swollen lips as they drive away. ------------------ "Nobody has measured, not even poets, how much the heart can hold" ~Zelda Fitzgerald [This message has been edited by hoot_owl_rn (edited 12-14-1999).] |
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| © Copyright 1999 Ruth Kephart - All Rights Reserved | |||
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leelew Member
since 1999-07-10
Posts 89highmount,ny,usa |
Well written! And a difficult subject,my all read the message here,and understand it. |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
Lee...thank you very much. This is a subject no one should have to know first hand, but everyone should have to understand. It is one difficult to write about, but even more difficult to live through. ------------------ "Nobody has measured, not even poets, how much the heart can hold" ~Zelda Fitzgerald |
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DreamEvil Member Elite
since 1999-06-22
Posts 2396 |
Thank you for posting this one. I liked it from the first. ------------------ Shall I indulge in flights of fancy hampered by clipped wings? DreamEvil© |
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Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
Isn't it strange that it has such a mundane name? "Domestic" Violence......it certainly doesn't sound domestic.....very nice work! Enjoyed it very much. |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
Dream and Poet....thank you both very much for your words of praise on this one. Ruth |
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Alain DeLaCendres Member
since 1999-07-02
Posts 119Ohio |
Ouch. This one opened up some old memories that were better left forgotten..I understand this issue more than I want to. This was great, sorry it took so long for me to come around and see this new forum. I skimmed the titles and picked yours to read first, and I'm glad I did... Very nice hoot_owl_rn, very well written. ------------------ Tout s'en va, tout passe, l'eau coule, et le couer oublie. |
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elvira Senior Member
since 1999-07-06
Posts 936California |
my neighbors called the police once, they caught up to me half way down the street, i did not file charges either, but i also never went back to the house, filed a restraining order, and got divorced PS: i know everyone's life is different and the above is just my story of domestic violence |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
Elvira, thanks...I'm already out of that bad situation...and much better for that ------------------ "Nobody has measured, not even poets, how much the heart can hold" ~Zelda Fitzgerald |
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elvira Senior Member
since 1999-07-06
Posts 936California |
good to hear that hoot...i know it takes a lot of strength and applaud you for it  now...for something completely different... ------------------ PS: have you been to "The Alley" lately and cast your vote for "on a roll"? |
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Marilyn Member Elite
since 1999-09-26
Posts 2621Ontario, Canada |
Ahh Ruth...this hits home my friend. Getting out and accually asking for help is a step in the right direction. To many don't file charges and live with the abuse. We must find the strength and give the strength to those still in these situations. Well written Ruth. A difficult subject but well done. |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
Marilyn, thank you for your reply and thank you for bringing this one to light again. "I am nothing special, of this I am sure. I am a common man with common thoughts and I've led a common life. There are no monuments dedicated to me and my name will soon be forgotten, but I've loved another with all my heart and soul, and to me , this has always been enough." ~Nicholas Sparks from The Notebook |
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Saxoness
since 1999-07-18
Posts 1102Texas |
This one made my heart ache. But I'm the fortunate one...for I know that those who suffer through this have much more than heartache. "Glory remains unaware of my neglected dwelling where alone I sing my tearful song which has charms only for me." -Charles Brugnot |
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Terrina Kethryveris Member
since 1999-12-06
Posts 53USA |
Hoot this is a subject that too many over look and I thank you for posting this. I hope that others out there who are in a situation like this will find the strength that you and many others have before it is too late for them to do so. God bless you and keep you safe in your future journeys.  Terri |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
Terri and Saxoness....thank you both with all my heart  |
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Pepper Member Elite
since 1999-08-19
Posts 3079Southern Florida |
To me it is amazing just how many of us have experienced this in our lives! Also, how sad that we feel embarrassed and ashamed about something that was not our fault. I remember thinking, in the beginning, when the abuse first started that it must have been me. I did something to deserve it...never really understanding what.But this man that loved me...must have a good reason.In hindsight and with age, I finally realized...He had a problem...it was him, not me!! Thank you Ruth, for this excellent portrayal of the abuse that is still plaguing our relationships....... < !signature--> A soul that writes from the heart and shares it, truly gives a gift extraordinaire! Shannon [This message has been edited by Pepper (edited 12-19-1999).] |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
Pepper...It's amazing how we place the blame on ourselves and think no one will understand. I lived in the abusive marriage for 17 years and not one person...not my friends, not my family...knew what was going on. Everyone thought he was a "great guy" and all I kept doing by not coming out was digging myself further into a hole and in part digging my own grave. The final straws were nothing he did to me, but the ongoing abuse of my youngest son. It has been hard and he continues to make it hard for me. Because I didn't want any more fighting, I filed for a nofault divorce. Now he is filing for spousal support and my lawyer says he will probably get it. So,I end up paying support to the man who abused me for 17 years, it's like a slap in the face...the abuse continues. I'm sorry any of us have had to go through this. ((((HUGS)))) |
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JamesMichael Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336Kapolei, Hawaii, USA |
I don't believe he'll get spousal support...or should I say if he gets what he deserved it would be jail time. He has lost the opportunity to love and care for his family. You have lost the opportunity to tell your family and friends that you had a loving and caring husband. Keep standing up for your right to be loved and respected. James |
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