The Long Night

"The Long Night" Nighttime. I dreaded it. Darkness. Uncertainty, and the feeling of being powerless. I lay down to try to rest. This was my life now. Devoid of hope. Abuse, and poverty. No power, only fear. A shell of emptiness crept over me, squeezing my breath away....my tears flowed. Another night, another weary night. Trembling, I stroked my little girls hair, as she lay sleeping peacefully near my side. Born only three years ago, she was small and helpless. I pulled her close. My two young sons slept in the room down the hall. I listened for sounds, any sound to alert me, and I would bolt from my bed to see what was happening...I waited for a noise in the darkness, I prayed for stillness. Silence. I prayed for Gods help once again. I prayed for HIS strength within me to overcome the evil in this house. I hoped the man passed out drunk on the sofa, would stay there, sleeping...unable to reign down evil on all of us tonight. My husband... I didn't know him and the monster he had he become, how would I escape? My eyes strained to stay open as the night dragged on, I looked at the clock thinking if I looked at it every few minutes, morning would come faster... time stood still. So weary. I had to stay awake. I had to protect my children. I prayed again, help me God. He only hit me when he got mad or drunk. I would not let him hit the children, but he scared them. I worried if something happened to me, what he may do to the children if I were not there to protect them. I wanted to leave. I was so afraid. I had no money. I had nowhere to go. I prayed for an answer. Darkness loomed in the shadows outside my small window, and for what seemed like only a moment I slept fitfully, to be suddenly jolted awake by the sound of the outside door slamming shut! I must have dozed off! Oh No! I let down my guard! Startled, I wasn't sure what was happening! I started to shake, my mind raced, ready to do whatever I had to do to get through the violence that was sure to come. Daylight peered through the window! I heard the sound of his truck start up! He left for work, he was gone. I hugged my baby girl close, and smiled as my sons came into the room and snuggled up on the bed next to me. Another sunrise, another day. We were safe. I sighed, as tears welled up in my eyes. I knew with Gods power, someday, someway HE would lead me to a place where there would be no more long nights. I thanked God for today, and for better tomorrows to come. Faith. TJ SILBA:Collections of Life 2021