Tacoma Falls: Homeland

Homeland

Morgan

Hank calmed me down after reading Momma's journal. I sat on the couch and sighed. Hank moved beside me.

"I had no idea what Momma endured with Daddy."

"Josephine was protecting you from the truth."

I looked at Hank. "I wish Momma would have told me the truth. It would have given me a better understanding of Momma's actions."

"Darlin, no woman wants people to judge them for staying with a man who hurts them. It's why most women stay and don't ask for help."

"It's not right." I shook my head.

"I didn't say it was. But your momma felt powerless until she called Jessap. You need to talk to Jessap."

I nodded in response and called Aunt Jessap to come over.

Aunt Jessap arrived and sat in a living room chair. Hank grabbed us beers before rejoining me on the couch.

"I read Momma's journal about the abuse," I told Aunt Jessap. "Why did Momma wait so long to get help?"

Aunt Jessap took a deep breath and released it. "Morgan, getting help isn't as easy as you think. Your daddy was slick when he started abusing your momma. It didn't start as physical abuse."

"I don't understand." I shook my head.

Aunt Jessap set her beer down and leaned forward. "The abuse starts with gaslighting and alienation. They isolate the person, so they can't reach out. Lying becomes normal. When that stops working, the abuser switches tactics. Did your momma mention gifts?"

I nodded.

"Dusty would buy Josephine gifts to quell Josephine's doubts. Then, your momma had enough and fought back. Your daddy beat her so badly that she didn't know if she would survive. You were a baby, Morgan. Your momma protected you from your daddy getting his hands on you."

"I was a baby! Why would he want to hurt me?"

"You wouldn't stop crying. Your daddy told your momma to shut you up. When Josephine could get you settled, he tried to grab you. Your momma stood in front of you to protect you. She suffered a horrible beating for keeping your daddy from you. A neighbor heard the screams and knocked on the door. Your daddy took off. Your momma had the neighbors call me."

I bowed my head and closed my eyes. My momma risked her life to protect me.

"Josephine said a homeland is where people protect you. They keep you safe from others harming you. Your homeland is where your heart resides."

I lifted my head as tears streamed down my cheeks. Hank slipped his hand into mine and gave it a gentle squeeze.

"Morgan, your momma sacrificed herself, so you didn't have to. She wanted to make you stronger than she was."

"But Momma was strong. She left."

Aunt Jessap smiled. "Yes, she did."

******
Hank

Homeland isn't a place but the people who reside there. They're the people who won't hesitate to sacrifice themselves to protect you from harm. They will love you unconditionally. When there's trouble, turn to your homeland. They'll come when you call. It was a guarantee.

"Darlin, I need to tell you something," I said.

Morgan looked at me. "What is it?"

"Papaw saw Amber and Rusty today. He spotted a bruise on her neck."