I stood before my in-laws feeling completely helpless. Accusing fingers pointed at me like rifles at a massacre. Tears filled my eyes as I looked down. What do I say? There were no words. I took a deep breath. My throat had run dry - I tried to swallow but there was a boy-scout-knot too tight to untie.
The yelling was like the siren of an ambulance.
I held one hand in the other, trying to be my friend in that moment. Trying to hold myself up so I wouldn't fall to my knees. A little voice inside me finally spoke out saying: This too shall pass.
"It's all your fault. All of this is happening because of you."
I looked up at them. Their faces were distorted by unkindness. I thought to myself, how do you justify actions that are not yours. I was being falsely accused of something I did not do. I could never even think of doing such things. Yet here I was.
My hands were cold. I looked down at my wedding ring. The beautiful little stone shined through. It was as if the diamond was trying to smile at me through the fog of hate that had filled the room - reminding me that I have a loving husband. I tried to smile back but the floodgates had been opened and tears poured down my cheeks.
I had no witness but God.