The Punching Bag - Through the Eyes of a Child

The Punching Bag - Through the Eyes of a Child Each day the pattern was the same, for all Dad’s shortcomings, my Mom got the blame. WHACK! He cursed her for all his lost dreams… WHACK! For missed opportunities, and failed schemes. WHACK! Dad would hit his punching bag again, to release all his pent-up frustration and pain. When he felt inadequate and couldn’t cope with life, he resorted to battering Mom, his “beloved” wife. Of course, it was always her fault that things were bad; so he made her suffer for all the troubles he had. Inflicting her with insults, black-eyes, concussions, and cuts, he claimed that she deserved them because she was like all sluts. Craftily he played on her bully-enforced meekness, getting down on his knees to beg for her forgiveness. Moods swinging like a pendulum from night to day, his promises were empty - he would never change his vile ways. Predictably, he continued to torment her as he pleased, degrading and abusing her…he never ceased. He figured low self-esteem would prevent Mom from leaving; and that she was a nobody, he really had her believing. He was oh so convinced that needed audacity she lacked, to ever think of opposing him, or of fighting him back. Besides, with no family around, no job, and no dough, he smugly concluded that she had no place else to go. God knows she was weary of existing in this hell on earth; and I was tired of seeing her endure all that unbearable hurt. I had had enough of being terrified by that despicable monster, who had ruined her and made our lives an utter disaster. After convincing Mom that inevitably I’d suffer the same fate, one night, we finally escaped to a shelter before it was too late. *** Note: Thank God, nothing like this ever happened to me. But this piece is dedicated to those many women and their children who are victims of domestic violence. 08-31-2015 Contest: Through the Eyes of a Child Sponsor: Placement: 2nd