Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: At Wit’s End (02/13/14)
-
TITLE: Final curtain | Previous Challenge Entry
By Norma-Anne Hough
02/20/14 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
Walking up Emma’s pathway was always a pleasure. Wonderful scents from the different flowers and herbs wafted through the air. As I drew closer to her house, the even more welcome smell of baking and freshly brewed coffee greeted me.
“Hi Amber come inside.” Emma embraced me warmly.
Hugging her closely, I wondered how she really was.
“Thanks Emma, so glad you called. Life has been pretty crazy on our side, and I just haven’t touched sides.”
We walked into her sun room where the table had been set out with coffee and lavender shortbread. I was troubled deep within though, as I could see the tension in her face.
“What’s up?” I asked, as she busied herself pouring coffee.
“Oh Emma I am going crazy, I just don’t know what to do.”
“Is it Rob?”
“No. It is his dad!”
“Tell me” I gently asked, though somehow knowing what would follow.
Many years previously, I had been in Emma’s shoes. I could identify so with her anguish and pain. I knew Rob’s dad well. He was a successful business man in our hometown. She was at her wit’s end, as I had been.
“Is he abusing you? Please tell me.” I pleaded.
“I know something has been very wrong with you for some time; you have become more and more withdrawn. I have been there.”
“What?”
“You heard me. Dave’s dad sexually harassed and abused me for 10 years.”
Her eyes widened and she started crying.
“How did it stop?”
“I finally could take no more. We had come through for a weekend with him; the girls were due to have a sleep over at my sister. I took them to my sister leaving Dave with him, as Dave was full of flu. While I was away, dad dosed Dave with flu medication and brandy.
The medication had specifically stated no alcohol to be taken with it, but Dave wasn’t aware of that, he trusted his dad. Dad had planned that when I got home alone he would have his own “little party.” Only through the grace of God and his intervention, did Mandy decided not to sleep over but to come home with me. What followed was pretty ugly; dad demanded I put her in a separate room. I then told him I was taking her outside to our flat and should he dare come out I would shoot him. We always travelled with a fire arm and I knew how to use it.”
“That is crazy. What did he do then?”
“He laughed at me thinking I wouldn’t dare. I told him it was the end of his abuse; that my mom knew all about him as well. Grabbing Mandy I ran outside to our flat and locked ourselves in. I spent the night sitting on the bed with the gun at my side. “
“Where was Dave, was he in the flat?”
“No, he had gone to sleep in his old room. Next morning I told him we had to leave straight after breakfast. I also told dad we were leaving earlier than planned. He tried to yet again apologize to me, saying it was the drink. I ignored him and we left. Dave sensed something was wrong, but was feeling awful so kept quiet. When I fetched the older two girls, my mom could see how stressed out I was. She was horrified when I filled her in. She made me promise to tell Dave by the next morning.”
“Did you tell him and what was his reaction?”
“I told him next day. At first he didn’t believe me, until my mom phoned and spoke to him.
From that day onwards, the girls or I were never alone with him.”
“I have tried to tell Rob, but he doesn’t think it is all that serious.”
“You are free to share my story with Rob.”
“Thanks so much for sharing, I always have admired your strength and now I know why.”
“No, it is only through Jesus and His love that we all got through it. Amazingly enough, Dave led his dad to the Lord on his death bed; he then told the family to all leave the room except for me. He asked for my forgiveness, thereby not only setting himself free but also me. Next morning he died.”
Emma later found the courage and told Rob.
Non-fiction.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be right now. CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
Thank you for sharing this "tough subject" with us, you've managed to tell it with class and with a vibrant message attached. Through Christ all things can be accommplished and forgiven.
God bless you~