Black and Blue

Her Story

     Black and blue. That is the color of my skin. He said he must do it because I have to learn, I have to behave. He said he's sorry after it happens and that he would never do it again, as long as I don't do anything to anger him further. He said it was my fault he's always angry. He said that I was useless. I want to leave, but he said if I try to leave I would be punished in worse ways.

     It took six years of his love to realize what was happening. I was too blind to notice all the changes he made to me. My long brown hair is now blond, my clothes have gone from simple to expensive, and my once bright blue eyes, full of happiness and joy, are now dim with sadness. As for my skin, it is black and blue. I'm covered in the bruises that truly showed me what his love was.

     I will not call it by its name, but it took six years to realize this was happening to me. It took six years to realize that this was not normal, that I was in danger, that this had to end.

Year 1

     I was late getting home because my therapy session took longer than usual. I received a new client today. My husband is not going to like this. He late when I'm late, he tends to get a bit paranoid when I'm not back on time, but it is even worse today because he planned a special evening for us.

     I unlock the door to find him watching t.v. I know he's been drinking because I can see his usual drinking glass on the table next to the couch, also I can smell the alcohol all the way from where I'm standing.

     "You were supposed to be home ages ago," he says not even turning to look at me. "Where were you? Why didn't you at least call me?," he asks annoyed.

      I didn't know what to tell him, he knows I tend to work late and that I cannot just call him in the middle of a session. He also knows that I cannot control when my sessions end, people need me full-time, why is he so upset?

      "We were supposed to go out tonight and you blew me off for your job," he gets up to refill his glass. "I sat here and waited for you, waiting for you to walk through the door. This was my day off and we planned to spend it together as soon as you got off work. That is what YOU said, yet you were late. You are always late," he stops to take a long drink. Great more alcohol to add to his already drunken state. "You can't ever be here when I need you to, but I HAVE to be here for you all of the time. But that...this is no more. You WILL understand how I feel," he threatens. He drinks the last of his Whiskey he looks at the glass and throws it at my head.

     It doesn't shatter,  it just leaves my head throbbing. He threw his glass at me, he threw his glass at me, he...threw...his...glass. Nothing like being late ever makes him this mad, what happened to him?

Year 3

     People are wondering where I am. All I say is that I don't feel well. The truth is that my husband will not let me out of his sight. I only go to work when he says I can, and I must return by the time he says or there will be repercussions.

     My husband even watches me as I cover fresh bruises almost every morning. He constantly apologizes for what he does, but why is he? It is my fault it happens.

     Being lost in my thoughts caused me to overcook dinner. I was running out of time, I had to be done before he got home from the hospital. I thought it didn't look that bad, so I served it anyway. I set the table and waited for him to walk through the door.

....

     "What is this?" he asked.

     "Dinner?"

     "No this is crap," he criticized. "I asked for you to make dinner, you were given one job. One simple job and you couldn't even do that," he said annoyed.