One In Four Women

Terror seizes you, and it isn't kind. You try to go somewhere peaceful in your mind. But the pain rips you right back to here and now. Not wanting to give him the satisfaction of even saying "ow." You try to be strong, but he tears from you, a scream. Oh God, please let this be a terrible, terrible dream. I thought he was supposed to be a friend of mine? As the tears grow down my face like vine. He tells me I wanted it, even though I screamed no. He says my attitude and outfit told him so. In the same breath, he threatens me never to tell. If they ask why the tears, you better say you fell. As I got out of the car he pulled me to him and hugged me tight. He kissed my forehead and said Don't worry you'll be all right. Just remember, if you open your mouth, no one will believe a dirty whore. Now go inside before I take you for another ride and give you some more. Into the house and straight into the shower. I was in there for what felt like hours and hours. My grandmother knew right from the start. Please don't tell, it would break Daddy's heart. Please, Grandma he's not worth Daddy going to jail. For my sake and his, you can never, ever tell. She kept her promise and never uttered a word. At night, she told me, my cries she heard. For six weeks I kept my secret and told not another soul. For six weeks I sunk deeper and deeper into a hole. Not until I heard that he raped a fourteen year old girl. Knowing I could have prevented it, shattered my world. I finally told my horror story to the cops and to my Dad. I don't think I'd ever seen him so violently mad. Mike was arrested, but in jail he would not stay. He lived around the corner and we had to move away. He got probation, but not for me, his word against mine. I was sixteen, of legal age to consent, so for me he'd get no time. His punishment, probation for only a couple of years. Me and his other victim were left with our fears. Would he find us and take revenge for what he said was a lie? Would my father hunt him down, and go to prison for a rapist to die? He got away, pretty much scot-free for his deplorable crime. His victims were the ones who were serving the time. This IS a true story, my story, but not my story alone. After 8 years and raping several other women Mike was sentenced to 35 years in prison. As he pleaded his innocence, we were all in some way vindicated. He never did a day for brutally raping me, NOT ONE DAMN DAY. But he's doing plenty now. I hope he gets ALL that he deserves.