We all gathered at our house before heading over to the courthouse like they had arranged. We had a nice breakfast, talked, giggled and laughed at silly jokes that Cam kept telling. He always knew how to cheer us up when we were feeling down. The best big brother in the whole wide world, he was. We were on our way to the courthouse now, parked and walked across the street, we seen Aunt Tessy walking into the building with her attorney. Divoc was still in prison until they said he could either be free or have to stay there longer after the judge told us what they had decided.
We piled behind the table in our seats. The judge banged the desk hard again, I don't understand why she does that. We all stood and then were asked to sit back down. They brought in Divoc in handcuffs and unlocked them as he approaches the table where Aunt Tessy and their attorney are. He didn't dare look at us this time, thank goodness.
This sweet looking older lady brought a piece of paper to the judge, "we have made a decision your honor" she says handing the note to the judge. The judge looks it over, places it down and takes a moment to collect her thoughts.
"Today ladies and gentlemen, we have come to the conclusion that Divoc Ninetyn is hearby guilty of all counts as follows: Corruption of minors 6 counts; sexual misconduct of minors 6 counts"; the courtroom erupts as Aunt Tessy screamed out, "no you can't do this, he's innocent, we have children together, what am I going to do with him gone?" The judge bangs again on her desk "order in the court, get your client under control or she will be removed from this court room!" The judge continued rambling it was all too much for me to take in. I did understand what she says next, "50 years with no chance of parole for each count. Court is adjourned, please take Mr. Ninetyn back into custody bailiff for proper booking." She steps down and walks out of the court room. Aunt Tessy screaming and crying, no one there to console her, tell her it would be ok. My parents hug us, my cousins sit crying and shaking. We won, we have finally put that monster amongst us where he belongs, behind bars so that he can never hurt anyone else ever again.
*You see, even though Divoc got what he deserved, in doing all this he made my Aunt Tessy suffer, his children suffer, his family broken. My parents, Aunt Jessica and cousins, we're all far from healing. Every week we have to go to a counselor and talk to her about how to move on from all that we've been through. We're told we're brave, but often times we feel guilty for coming forward destroying Aunt Tessy's family for telling the truth. I learned through counseling, that it's NEVER ok to keep secrets, especially when someone is violating your body. I've learned that speaking up and speaking out breaks the hold of fear that the monster tries to put on you to keep their dirty secrets hidden. So, to the world and those they know and love, they can remain to be seen as good and pure. I've learned that not each day will be easy, I will have hard days where I struggle, I don't understand why I feel the way I feel. I've learned that when this happens it's okay to seek help, it's okay to cry, it's, okay to keep a journal and describe how everything made me feel, to get all the emotions built up inside - out. It's ok to be afraid. Most importantly I've learned that no matter what, nothing I said or did made him violate me or my sisters or cousins' we never asked to be touched inappropriately by someone we should have been able to trust. I am not in the wrong, he was, it was his actions that cost him his family.
FROM THE AUTHOR:
I speak up, so that others can find their voice when they feel like it's never good enough, that no matter what they say, they will be looked at differently. I'm here to tell you that it's not true. From this day on, I speak on behalf of all women, all girls, all boys, all men, that have not been able to find the courage and the strength to speak up, to voice their hurt, to stop a predator in their tracks and allow their voice to stop someone else from being affected for actions of another person that despite what you feel, is never your fault. You didn't ask for this, you didn't want this, you don't understand this, but I promise you, you will overcome this. You will gain a real voice, strength and courage you never knew you had before, and you will be a great voice for people that too have gone through situations such as yourself. You will heal, and in time, you will grow, you will trust again, you will always have that voice in the back of your head warning you of danger yet to come. Listen to it, it will never steer you wrong. You will have panic attacks thinking back of all that you had endured, you will feel great sadness at different times that you can't explain. Open up to someone you trust, your mom, your dad, your teacher, your counselor someone, they can help you work through these attacks, please don't try to fight them on your own. It's a battle I promise you, you won't and can't face without asking for help from someone you can fully trust and open up too. Sometimes even coming down to taking medication when other methods don't work. You're not broken, you're not damaged, you're a fighter, and you're healing. Allow yourself to heal, allow yourself to grow, to become proud of who you are, flaws and all because no one in this world is perfect. Be you, the best version of yourself that no one can ever take away from you. You are unique and you matter, your voice matters. It's time the world stops and listens as our voices are no longer being silenced and we come forward and tell our truths, the truths that put the monsters amongst us where they rightfully deserve to be, behind bars so they can't hurt anyone else ever again. *
YOU ARE READING
The Monster Amongst Us
General FictionWhen you're little you're surrounded by people that you're supposed to trust and feel safe with. The people God gave you are supposed to protect and nourish you, they're supposed to encourage positive growth, teach you right from wrong. So where alo...
