Grace's dream was a career in the fashion industry. But while she's finally pursuing that dream, her personal life remains a nightmare. Will she be able to escape an abusive relationship? And will she be able to find happiness and maybe true love?
"My darling! Why are you crying? What happened?", says my mum, looking me up and down. Trying to find the wound to heal but that's on the inside. It can't be seen.
"I broke up with him".
"With Abel? Well, you're clearly hurt and I don't like that but good riddance. He was never good enough for you".
"Mum, why have I always let people treat me so badly? Why don't I have the strength to answer back? Everyone at work thinks I'm so confident and strong and...one day they'll see I'm not and treat me like everyone else has".
"Grace, look at me", she says, gently lifting my head and cleaning my tears with her fingers. "Sometimes we think it's easier to nod and smile. Especially as women, we are taught that. Until we realize our worth and say enough is enough. You are confident, my love. You've always been. But you surrounded yourself with the wrong people and they made you doubt yourself. When it was their own insecurities that made them treat you so badly".
"I don't think I can come back from that, mum. I doubt everyone now. I always think they'll laugh at me when I turn around".
"But they won't and time will show you that".
I'm not so sure about that and she can tell I'm doubting her words.
"You say that people at work think you are strong and confident. And they are right. But do you know why they think that?"
I shake my head.
"Because they see the potential. They see who you could be if you allowed yourself to grow into the woman we can all see in you".
"How do I do that?"
"You've taken the first massive step by removing those who stopped you from moving forward. It was you that had to do it. And I know it's been hard but I'm so proud of you for doing this".
"Yeah well, and then I called my mum to cry to her", I try to joke.
"I called my mum the day you left for university to cry about how much I was going to miss you and I was 40".
"You did?", I say, holding her hand.
"I did. And she understood. Like I understand now".
"I love you, mum".
She hugs me tightly and starts to caress my hair. "And I love you more than I ever thought possible. I wish I could have helped you before, but it had to be you who did this".
"Mum? Would you cry if I moved somewhere else?"
"What do you mean?"
"I've been offered a job in Manchester. I didn't think much of it because of Abel but he's no longer getting in my way so...".
"Oh thank God!"
"What?", I say confused. "You sound relieved about the idea of me leaving".
"I'm relieved because I thought you were going to tell me you are moving to New York or something. Manchester is not that far away, I'll take it".
We both laugh and embrace again.
"Let's go to bed now. You can tell me all about that job tomorrow".
"Are you staying?"
"Of course I am, my darling".
END OF PART 1
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