WARNING: brief mentions of abuse of a child
Whenever a child comes to me, I think of how anyone could do things like that. A child is a child. Being a mother, I can't understand or comprehend a mother watching and not doing anything. The thing that keeps me going everyday is knowing that I'm doing whatever I can to make a difference in their lives. Abuse is not just physical or sexual. It's psychological, verbal and emotional. Physical scars can heal but emotional scars can last forever. I am asking all my followers to make a pledge to report child abuse, even if it's only suspected. All it takes is one phone call to save a child.
Rafael saw his wife's newest post and he thought of his own father. He had never told anyone what he had seen. Now his wife was an advocate against child abuse. He didn't have any clients or meetings so he came home on his lunch break. Jayde was surprised to see him but he sat her down with their son asleep in her arms. "Is everything ok", she asked.
He fought back tears. "I read your new blog entry and theres something I never told you". He looked down. "When I was younger, I saw my dad beat my mom and sometimes he used his fists on me". Finally he told her what he had been keeping inside. "I couldn't tell you..."
Jayde held him as he cried. "Lo siento mucho, amor".
He nodded. "I couldn't tell you because I was ashamed but then I saw your post and I needed to get it out. We tell victims every day it's not their fault –"
"It was never your fault. It was his. Rafi, you are the bravest man I ever met. You stand up for the victims when they are the most helpless. You listen to them and you fight for justice. I will fight for you like you fought for me. I love you and nothing you can do or say will ever push me away. It was never your fault".
He looked at her and she brushed the tears off his face. He nodded. "Why are you so good to me?"
She smiled. "Because you fight for people. I fell in love with you the moment I met you. You're sarcastic, you can command a courtroom and when you talk, people listen. I fell in love with your heart and the fact that you accepted Steven and Kiera as your own. I love you because you were there for me after my assault and you waited until I woke up. I love you because you never gave up on me and you waited patiently while I we through a marriage and a relationship".
He smiled and nodded. "I love you so much and I knew that you would understand. I have to get back". He wiped his face then got up. Jayde got up and followed him. He went to the sink and washed his face. She gave him a kiss. "I love you".
After he left, she thought about what he had told her. Her husband had been a victim and now he was an advocate. She remembered the list he had made her when she was going through her depression and PTSD. With RJ fast asleep, she put him in the boppy then put him next to her as she wrote him a list on her iPad.
My Marido
By Jayde Barba
Fights for victims
Never gives up
Is sarcastic
Knows how to command a courtroom
Loves Steven and Kiera as his own
Is a wonderful daddy to RJ
Was there for me after my assault
Fought for me
Waited for me for years
Is handsome as hell in a suit
Or dressed down
Taught me what love is
Loves musical theater
She emailed the list to him and a half hour later, he replied back to her. I love you so much and I thank my lucky stars that I met and married you. I don't know what I did before I met you. – Rafael
Jayde read the email and smiled. RJ had woken up and started to fuss. Both kids were still sleeping so she got up and walked around with him. She told him everything that was in the apartment and he calmed down. She set him down on the floor on his back. He kicked his little feet as his mother talked to him. Eventually Kiera and Steven woke up and they went over to him.
Later Rafael came home to Steven and Kiera face-timing with Johnny on Jayde's iPad. They were jumping around as they talked to him, sometimes speaking over each other. Rafael went over to his wife and gave her a kiss. "How did the rest of the day go", she asked.
"Better. The victim decided to testify so I have to prep her for trial. I thought about what you said about fighting for me. I don't want to be a victim anymore and I don't feel like one anymore. It's because of you, I've decided to help you advocate against child abuse".
Jayde gave him a big smile. "I am so proud of you, amor!"
He smiled. "It's like what Liv always said, all it takes is someone to listen and believe you".
That night they strategized. They thought of doing a campaign with the squad but it would mean that he would have to tell his story. He was hesitant to do this and he sat with his back on the couch. Should he do it? He thought about his wife and children. "I'll do it. I'll tell them tomorrow".
Jayde rubbed his back. "I'll be right there beside you".
The next day they got a sitter and went to the precinct together. Olivia knew they were coming but he didn't tell her why. Rafael told her that he needed to talk to her and the squad so they went over to where everyone was. Everyone was surprised to see them. Jayde took his hand into hers. "Jayde and I were thinking of doing a campaign against child abuse". Everyone nodded. "It's something we both have experience in, well hers is from the outside".
"What are you telling us", Olivia asked.
He looked at his wife. "I told Jayde yesterday and it's something I've never told anyone but when I was younger, my dad beat my mom and sometimes he used his fists with me".
Everyone was silent and surprised. "This is why we want to do the campaign and because of the children that come in every day. We both want to save children from going through that", Jayde said.
Olivia pulled him aside. "Rafael, I am so sorry. I can't imagine carrying that for all these years". He nodded. "It's because of Jayde that I finally told her. We tell victims every day, it's not your fault –"
She nodded. "I saw her campaign on Tumblr and I knew that it would be something we would be interested in".
"I picked the right woman to marry".
Olivia laughed to herself. "Yeah, you did. She's one-of-a-kind. If you or Jayde need anything, please call. It doesn't matter what time of the day, we will always be there for you and her".
He nodded. "Thanks, Liv".
