Save Him

3.

Quincy

"What is abuse? When a child is a victim of abuse by a member of their family, their world has changed forever. They may have loved their abuser and the abuser has turned the relationship into something sadistic and cruel. The victim of abuse is likely to feel very confused. How can they sort out the feelings of affection that they have for their abuser with the sick and disgusting act that was done to them. Feelings that result from abuse should not be buried away. As painful as it is, victims must talk about their experience and share their pain with others. Finding meaning in suffering is the road to healing." I listened to Mrs. Jacobs read the start of the paper off and she tapped her pencil on the desk and looked at me and Taelynn.

"Who started this off?" She asked and I raised my hand. "This is very good; and well put together. Now in here it says; and I quote 'As painful as it is, victims must talk about their experience and share their pain with others.' Do you feel that is true?" She looked at me and I looked away. "Now don't get me wrong; correct me if I'm wrong.. you speak highly of this and if you feel that way, if it was you in this situation would you share your pain with others?" She looked me in my eyes and I closed my eyes. I knew what she was trying to do when she gave me this topic.

We had been on this for two weeks now; even though we had months to finish. I was good at this topic; I could get it done sooner.

"If it was me and it's easy, I would speak up" I stated. "Now would you like me to recite the poem before Taelynn read what she's got for you?" I asked her to change the subject.

We had parts to this assignment; we would have our day of the week to stay in class for lunch and go over when we've got so far and it was all broke into sections. I had the opening chapter; and the poem for today. I'm not sure what Taelynn had; but I would hear it when I was done.

"Go ahead I'm listening" She nodded and I took the paper out and sighed before reading.

••
surrounded by walls
no where to go
walls are closing in
no more air flow

no one can hear you
like your never there
no one can help
no one is there

kicking and screaming
yelling for help
mom sits and watches
while dad grabs his belt

mom doesn't say anything
until dad leaves
she doesn't care
at least I didn't believe

this always happened
every single night
mom just sat and watched
without putting up a fight

going to school
with new bruises every day
teachers always asked
I blew their help away

knowing if I told
it would only get worse
begging on my knees
for him not to immerse

just laying there as time passed by
watching myself get beat
I just thought to myself
one day I'll be back on my feet
••

I opened my eyes and they both had tears in their eyes, wiping their faces with tissues. "I didn't mean to make y'all cry" I mumbled and held back my own tears. "Can we move on? It's just a poem." I quickly changed the subject again.

"Quincy baby please just speak up" Mrs. Jacobs shook her head and I sighed and asked if we could move on once again. "Okay, Taelynn I asked you to write something small on what you would say if you had a friend that was being abused? What did you come up with?" Taelynn wiped her eyes and she grabbed my hands; which made me nervous and she gave me direct eye contact before speaking.