Resilience is Her Saving Grace

On By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Fiction Short Stories

The tempest held its vigil on the horizon but continued to fool her. Devotion in his eyes mesmerized her whole being, awakened every pulse in her body. Eyes that spoke the language of love where their future glowed like an apricot dawn. She bestowed her heart permission to be swept into his pools of blue…

And yet, every day she anticipates the sting from his hand – the palm or back, makes no difference. The sting smarts like hell, but her heart secures the brunt of the damage. The slaps begin early each morning if she doesn’t move fast enough to appease his caffeine demands. And it’s ironic that he chose ‘chalet’ for his cell alarm because the calming tone contrasts to his horrific demeanor. After he walks through the front door following a day’s work, if she so much as smiles unknowingly to his disliking, his hand finds her cheek, and she feels the strike of skin even before impact. 5 p.m. on the mantel clock makes her heart pound as though trying to make a getaway.

They found their beautiful house together in a quiet neighborhood without sidewalks. Neighbors walk in the middle of the road, usually with leash in hand and their dogs beside them. Light traffic allows them to do this. Theirs is a ranch style with four bedrooms for their future children, he used to say. He told her that he couldn’t wait to be a father, which warmed her heart because becoming a mom in a year or two was her wish. A huge oak tree stands in the front yard covered in a lush lawn. Orange, yellow, and red marigolds decorate the walkway, and lavender hydrangeas and pink roses lean against the front of the house. But now the house that once was a home mirrors a prison. Cameras keep their eyes on her as he watches from his downtown office. Claustrophobia slithers down her spine. She struggles to quell the panic attacks. And her cell is meant only to reach him or to answer his calls. He tracks her like a wild animal. The ring on her finger stole all contact from the outside world – lost like a loved one’s passing. Grieving has no end, but she doesn’t dare misbehave because the pain is relentless.

She recalls the beautiful moments when his hands would send tingles from her neck down the map of her body. What did I do wrong? consumed her every thought when he transformed from loving husband to beast. Thoughts that became so tangled, she couldn’t ruminate until the truth stared her in the face. Her cheeks grew hot like asphalt in August from the realization that the monster had always existed.

Before the perfect couple whispered those two celebrated words on that breezy afternoon, signifying “You are my forever person,” he wore charm impeccably like a well-pressed dress shirt – his kisses intoxicating as jasmine, gentle like summer rain – respect enfolded in each embrace. Then donning satin and lace, the solitaire sparkled like her heart and soul, but true personas can take cover behind convincing eyes and smiles.

How could she have missed the signs? She ponders over and over.

Time – revelations, decisions, and strategies always take time. Her defense, submission, though she loathes appearing weak, and the agony tests her strength. But the path will wend its way, leading her to a door for a fresh start, caressing her bruised face and her body, his punching bag.

Gazing out the window, she watches courage whirl among the cottony clouds. Around the corner, freedom waits with intensity, as though motioning for her to come closer, excited for her new, safe beginning. She witnesses a glimpse of hope in the pink daisy pushing through the crack in the sidewalk.

But biding her time means life, and staying alive is her objective. She must bleed toughly. Resilience is her saving grace and not meant to be scattered on the floor, anymore. She must be smart to be free.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

© Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com – All rights reserved.

A collection of poems that speaks of nature’s healing touch,
how love shapes our lives, and the mysteries of life.
Click on the image to purchase your copy. Thank you! 💚

88 thoughts on “Resilience is Her Saving Grace”

    1. Thanks for your kind words, Carol Anne. I really appreciate them. This is a little different than what I usually write, but it’s reality for many, which is why I wanted to end it with a ray of hope. ❤️

  7. This is a beautifully written and heart-wrenching story that too many women have lived. Please, please, please tell me she made it out of that abusive marriage safely.

    1. Thanks very much for your kind words, Liz. Coming from such a talented writer, they mean a lot. This story is one sample of dipping my toes in. I ended her story with hope, so I believe that she made it out. She just realized the truth and what it will take for her to survive his abuse. Thanks again! ❤️

      1. Definitely, men are abused too but rarely share due to the masculine mystique. I used to volunteer for the Rape Crisis Center on campus. Pretty intense stuff!

      3. One thing I did was hotline work at night. I would get crank calls from guys, which upset my husband. I decided to quit for his sake. We lived in a small house, so it was hard to get privacy for the calls, and the landline ringing was disruptive for him.

  12. Well, Lauren, she is one of thousands.

    It’s endless.

    Worse… the women of Afghanistan, Iran and many other countries. Not even a pink daisy in sight.

    A moving piece, Lauren. Do you have plans for it?

    🌸💓🌸

    1. I hear you, Resa, and agree. It’s endless and tragic. I became inspired, so this began as a poem but grew into a story. And I had to end it with hope that she’ll escape from her nightmare. Thank you so much! I don’t write a lot of stories, so I hesitated in clicking on ‘publish.’ I don’t have any other plans for it, so far. Hugs xoxoxoxoxoxo

  14. Fantastic poem Lauren. Indeed these poems are a breath of fresh air and they inspire us as well as give us hope in the midst of trouble and a bleak world.

    I love the words here, so creative creative and great use of figure of speech, it really grabs our interests as Readers. I like this figure of speech “The future like an Apricot dawn”

    Nice words💯🙏🙏

    1. Thanks for your kind and encouraging words, Kymber. I appreciate them since you’re such a talented fiction writer. Fiction isn’t my forte, but I like to try sometimes. This is a tough subject because it’s reality for many. And I have a good feeling that she does escape. ❤️🙏🤗

  17. A sad story lived by too many Lauren which you brought forth so well in your poem. Hopefully she finds safety and the courage to leave💓 Wonderfully shared and written.. Nice job reaching across your comfort zone in writing💓

    1. Thanks for your lovely words, Cindy. This scenario is so sad and tragic, but I have a hunch she finds an escape and builds a new life devoid of the nightmare she’s been living in. That’s what I had in mind with the ending. It’s always fun to try something different, so thank you! Hugs 🩷🌷

  19. Unfortunately, too common in today’s world. Sometimes they have been conditioned to feel there is no possible escape and sometimes that partner finds the support needed to escape the horror of it.

    1. It’s a tragic topic that I was inspired to write about, Rebecca. This actually began as a poem, but grew into more of a short story. Thanks so much for your kind words. I enjoy trying fiction now and then. Hugs ❤️

  22. That was intense, Lauren. I was riveted. Your writing is exquisite and so full of emotion. I’m glad you ended with a touch of hope because the alternative would be so bleak. Well done, my friend.

  23. Wow! Lauren, what an incredible story, so powerful and traumatic I found that I’d forgotten to breathe. You capture the woman’s thoughts and emotions brilliantly, the history of the early happy romance, to the terrifying existence of now. Yet, thank you for leaving the reader with hope, that her resilience will find a way out of this hell before it is too late. Btw, it’s clever and effective how the man and woman remain nameless. You’re a gifted short story writer and still there is such perfect touches of poetry within your this piece. Hope you’re having a lovely Easter, my friend! Hugs xx ❤️

    1. Hi Annika,

      Thanks so much for your encouraging words. I had to end ‘her’ story with hope. The topic is realistic enough, so I couldn’t end it with even more tragedy. This piece actually started out as a poem, but the ideas and words flowed, so it grew into a story. I really appreciate your kind words because you are the gifted fiction writer. I’m still dabbling and learning, but I’m glad that this one turned out. Happy belated Easter, and thanks again! Hugs and much love to you! 💖🌷

  24. This is such a powerful piece, Lauren. I especially liked the juxtaposition to the horror when you say “they found this beautiful house together…” With March being Women’s History month you so threaded an important part of woman’s history.

    1. Thanks for your wonderful words, Carol, and I love that you pointed that out about the house. And thank you for mentioning Women’s History month. I didn’t realize how timely this post was, but I’m glad. All women have a voice and need to tap into their strength when it’s needed the most. Thanks again! ❤️

  25. Brutal and powerful stuff. Lauren. Too many people live this horror on a daily basis, and so many never find their way out. It’s good to have hope, advocates, agencies that can help, and it’s sad that those things are few and far between for a lot of folks. Of course, I’m remembering my mom’s experience with my dad here, and there really wasn’t any hope or help for her (a different era, different values, different ways of coping with or simply hiding abuse). Here’s hoping this story reaches the ears of someone who needs to hear it and that it will change someone’s life for the better. You’re an extraordinary writer with a compassionate soul, my friend. 

    1. Hi Mike, I thought of your mom too when I posted this, and I’m no expert, but I think every reason you listed for her not having hope is probably true: in your words, “a different era, different values, different ways of coping with or simply hiding abuse.” And even in this day and age, I don’t doubt that there are situations where support is lacking, so it’s easier to hide the abuse. It’s just so sad and tragic that anyone would have to endure that kind of relationship. I was inspired to write on this topic which was supposed to be poetry. But then it turned into a short story. So, this is one of my few attempts at fiction writing. By the way, I smiled at your ‘oops’ so I edited your comment. Hope that’s okay. I’m always frustrated when I can’t edit my comment on someone else’s blog post. Especially, if I’m replying from my cell which is a smaller screen. 🙂 It’s easier for me to make a mistake. Anyway, thank you for your incredibly kind words that mean so much to me. I hope you have a good day! Hugs!

      1. Thanks, Lauren. It’s a difficult subject, for sure, and I thought you handled it very well. Your short-story writing chops are seriously excellent. And thanks for the edit–I saw my typo (it was sort of hilarious in a weird, lispy way!) and thought, “Oh, man, I’ve gotta fix that somehow!” Making a typo on someone else’s blog is a helpless feeling, for sure! I blame numb fingers, lack of sleep, old eyes and not enough A&W root beer. 😄

        Have a good week, my friend. 😊

      2. My short-story writing chops, I love it, Mike! Thanks again! And you said it well about commenting on other’s blogs. Once we click that button, there’s no turning back. 🙂 And thanks for more smiles! I hope you get some sleep and root beer tonight, maybe not in that order though! Have a good week too! 🤗

  28. This is such a powerful and poignant piece Lauren. I literally held my breath as I was reading. You grasp her emotions so well and that confusion about the side of the man she married that she didn’t know existed. I appreciate that you show some hope at the end, that she is forming a plan, and will execute when the time is right. Some women never get out the the cycle of abuse, especially if it’s emotional. Hugs, C

    1. Thanks so much for your wonderful comment, Cheryl. I was inspired to write on this topic, but I had to give the reader hope at the end. Like you said, “she forms a plan and will execute when the time is right.” Hugs and much love!

  35. You are so talented Lauren. What a powerful story. I was riveted from beginning to the hopeful ending. Every word was impactful, revealing a sad reality for too many. Hugs, C

Comments are closed.