Pain in Finding Happiness: A Haunting Past Re-lived

Frank stumbled through the door and stood trying to take his shoes off through unstoppable hiccups. Christy's heart sank immediately; she had no idea what to do or say but knew that talking to him in his state would be bad. Christy decided to save face and just go to bed before Frank could remind her of all the reasons why she had asked him to quit drinking.

Frank had other ideas on how the night was going to go and looked at Christy claiming he had not had anything to drink. Christy didn't know how to respond to this bold lie so she stood and told Frank not to come in the home lying to her. Although her statement was made as calmly as possible she knew she had said the wrong thing. Christy had simply heard one too many lies, and had remained silent as she was cussed by him one too many times and couldn't allow it again.

That one sentence made by Christy sent Frank into a rage, he began screaming at her and calling her names that even the most hated enemies shouldn't use. Christy was at first speechless but it wasn't many obscenities later that she began yelling at him to leave. Christy's first husband had taught her that if she just kept her mouth shut and took what was coming to her the rage and abuse was less painful. Her past still haunted her and she had to remember the one promise she had made, she would never again be afraid of a man.

Although terrified of Frank on the inside Christy did not allow him to see that fear. As he pushed and threatened her she stood firm and told him to do whatever he had to do, that she was not afraid of him. Christy knew how bad things could get, after all this wasn't her first abusive situation. Christy wanted Frank to leave, to go away and come back sober but that was not an option for him.

Living in town Christy knew that someone would call the police, Frank was screaming horrific things at her. When Christy's son came out of his bedroom pleading with Frank to stop it Frank became even more enraged. He yelled at the boy to shut the hell up and Christy was more afraid than ever. At that moment she was more scared of Frank than she was of her ex husband when he held a gun to her head. Christy told the boy to go back to his room and as he did she felt a sigh of relief. Frank could kill her right now and that would be better than her children being hurt physically by the man they trusted as a father.

Christy did not want to send Frank to jail, only for him to leave but as she became more terrified she tried calling the cops. More fear overcame her as she realized that the phone did not work and she yelled out the door, pleading to an unknown neighbor, someone somewhere to call the police. No matter how much they screamed at each other, no matter how nasty it got Christy never heard anyone stirring outside. She feared that no one would help her; she feared that Frank would go beyond the pushing and that she might not make it out this time. Christy had to mentally check out and go into survival mode just as she had done all those years before Frank, her ability to check out had saved her life before and she was sure it would still work.

If you are just joining us in this mini series please go back and read Christy's saga from the beginning.
PART ONE: OVERCOMING FEARS