Child Abuse 2
Many years ago I wrote a story it was called “Peter Learns About Child Abuse.” I suggest you read that story first. It will help you understand what is going on in this story. Now most stories about child abuse and spousal abuse don't end very well. But I like all my story to have a happy ending. So I wrote the story to give you an idea of what can happen.
Mr. Oscar St. James has been in prison for about 10 years. He was a model prisoner. He was getting the help he needed to learn how to control his anger. His daughter Abby visited him a couple times in jail, but the other daughter Sara never wanted to go anywhere near him. His wife Anna had gotten a divorce and had remarried.
Oscar was up for a probation hearing. Abby decided to go to the hearing to give moral support to her father. Everything was going good. Then they asked if anybody in the audience had anything to say. A man stood up. His name was Felix St. John. He said “I am the little brother of Oscar. If you give my brother probation. I can assure you that he will have a job. I am a mechanic I have my own company. I am terrible with paperwork and I really could use Oscar to help me with the paperwork. I also have a place he can live.”
The parole board had a short conference. Then the one in charge said “Mr. St. James you were a model prisoner here and the doctors that were helping you with your temper say that you should not have any more problems with that. We will let you out on parole as long as you follow these rules. 1. You must not contact your wife or daughters. 2. You must report to a parole officer once a month. 3. And you must stay gainfully employed. If you do these things within one year you will have your freedom.
Mr. St. James stood up. He said “Thank you very much. I have learned a lot while I have been here. I will not let my temper get away from me anymore. I will follow your rules and do what you ask. Thank you very much.
So the parole was granted. The next day Oscar was released and his brother Felix was there to pick them up. Oscar started working right away on the paperwork and within two weeks he had it pretty much straightened out.
One day Oscar asked Felix if he would call Anna and ask her if she would have lunch with him some time. Anna agreed. Two days later they sat down for a nice quiet lunch and had a nice long talk. Oscar said “I know I hurt you pray badly and I'm very sorry. I know you can never forgive me. But I would consider it an honor if we could still be friends and talk occasionally.” Anna agreed. After lunch they both went in separate directions.
Abby would visit her father from time to time while he was working at the garage. One time her father said. “Abby, do you think you can work it out so that I can have dinner with you and your family and Sara and your mother? I have a story I would like to tell you about my life before your mom and I got married. I think it would help you all understand a little bit better what happened and why it happened.”
Abby said “I don't think there's any problem getting mom to come to dinner, but Sara is still very upset with you. There might be a problem getting her to come. I will work on it and let you know.
Two weeks later it was all arranged. Sara and her new boyfriend were there first. Sara was helping Abby fixed dinner. Abby's boys Peter Jr. an Richard were playing in the front room with Peter and George (Sara's boyfriend).
The doorbell rang and it was Mom, everybody was happy to see her. Everyone was talking at once trying to catch up on all the goings on.
Then the doorbell rang again. Peter answered it and it was their father. Sara got all upset. She was yelling “What's he doing here. I told you I'd ever wanted to see him again. If he's staying I'm leaving.”
Abby said “I'm sorry I didn't tell you about him coming. I knew you would not come if you knew he was going to be here. He has something he wants to say to the three of us. I think we should hear it. I knew you would be mad Sara and I'm sorry. This is very important to Dad. I agreed to get us all together so he could tell us a story. He told me it would be about his life before he got married. And after he told a story we would understand better what happened and why it happened. Please stay, Sara, it means a lot to him. After he's done you can leave and you never have to see him again if you don't want to.”
Sara wasn't happy about it. She finally agreed to stay.
They all set down around the table for dinner.
Abby said “Tonight instead of saying grace I think we all should say something that we are grateful for. Peter would you please start us off.”
Peter said “I am grateful to have all of my wife's family around the table with us tonight.”
Abby said “I am grateful Dad is here with us tonight and turning his life around.”
Dad said “I am grateful that Abby put this little dinner together for us. And I'm grateful to have a chance to explain things to my daughters and my ex-wife.”
Mom said “I am grateful to be here with my daughters and my grandsons. And I am grateful that Oscar is turning his life around.”
Peter Jr. said “I'm grateful to have my grandparents and my aunt with us tonight.”
Richard said “I am grateful for all this food.” Everyone just laughed.
Sara said “I am grateful for my sister and my mom. They got me through some rough times. And I am grateful now for my boyfriend George.”
George said “I'm grateful that Sara has agreed to be my wife next summer.”
Abby screamed and ran around the table and hugged Sara and George. “Is it true Sara.” She asked
Sara nodded yes. Mom just sit there on the other side of the table with tears running down her face.
After they all finished eating they all went into the front room. Abby said “Boys you know what we talked about. Is time for you to to go play in the bedroom. The adults have to have a talk.”
The boys left the room and Abby said “Father the floor is yours.”
Dad got up and looked around everyone was looking at him but Sara. She was sitting there holding onto George with her back to her father.
Dad started in “I know there is no excuse for what I did, but this might help explain it. When I was growing up. It was my dad, my mom, and my little brother Felix and little sister Susan. We never saw much of our father. When we did he was usually drunk, and he would find some excuse to beat on us. When I was about 12 my mother had enough. She took us three kids and left him. She started making a new life in a new city. Things were a lot better. Mom worked two jobs to take care of us. She was not home very much so I raise Felix and Susan. At least there are no more beatings. Then one day just before I finish high school. My mom was driving home from work. She was hit by a drunk driver. She died three days later. I had a chance to talk to her in the hospital. She made me promise to help my brother and sister get through college. So after I graduated from high school I got a job and paid for Felix to go to college. He went two years and dropped out. All he ever wanted to do was work on cars. So he bought his garage and started doing that. I paid the way for Susan to have four years of college. After that she worked and continued her education. She is now a Dr. and doing very well. Then I went to college. After college I got a job working in the Trigger company. Shortly after that I met and married your mom. I kept getting promotions and pay raises. With each promotion there was more responsibility and more pressure. It got to the point I couldn't handle it and started taking it out on your mother and then on you girls. Abby I'm glad you finally went and got help. The way it was going I may have killed one you, and I don't think I could ever live that down. Thanks again Abby for standing up and taking control. Well that was what I wanted to say. Thanks for listing the me. And if nothing else I hope we can still be friends. I love all three of you very much. I'll be leaving now. Bye and thanks again Abby for giving me a chance to say my piece.
The room was silent as dad walked towards the door. Just as he grabbed the handle. He heard Sara get up and running across the floor. Dad turned around. She wrapped her arms around his neck. She was crying “Daddy! please wait. I'm sorry daddy. I tried to be mad at you but I can't. I love you so much and I didn't realize it until just now. Please daddy come to our wedding next summer and walked me down the aisle.
Oscar had tears running down his face as he walked out of the house and over to his car.
Child abuse and spousal abuse are very serious things. I am not making light of them in any way. I just like my stories that end up happy. So I gave it a happy ending. Like I said before most abuse cases do not end up happy. If you are in an abusive situation there are people out there that want to help you, but they can't help you until you make the first call. The natural abuse hot line number is 800-799-7233. Most major cities have their own hot line numbers. They want to hear from you if you need help. They are waiting for that first call. They cannot do anything until you call.
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