I have been seriously neglecting my blogs. Life does that to you, especially when it is taken over by men who are no longer a part of yours but refuse to leave. This is why this prompt from Write on the Edge feels only fitting.
Write a fiction or creative non-fiction piece about freedom in 400 words. I hope you enjoy my little story.
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My first taste of real freedom was
something I had wanted for such a long time. It wasn't true freedom
in the sense of the word. I was still married, still his wife. But
with him in the hospital I felt such a relief – I could breathe
again.
True freedom was never something I ever
felt before. I had gone from my parents home to being the “perfect”
officer's wife. Not revealing who I really was out of fear my husband
would leave me for another. He did anyway. Then came “the
abuser”. He kept me frightened and alone, fearing for my life
while those around me turned their backs. When I was finally brave
enough to stand up to him I foolishly leaned on a family friend. A
friend who turned out to be more cruel and heartless than the abuser.
I was financially trapped as his employee while he kept up with his
“social life”. I reluctantly agreed to the only option I felt I
had and he thought he then had complete control over me.
Not this time.
I knew what I was doing and he was
realizing that he no longer had the upper hand. I was too strong so
he “ran” off by feigning illness. He spent eight glorious months
in the hospital while I had the freedom to make the decisions. Bills
came first, then play. Decorate as I chose, not as his ex-wife would
have. Invite friends over if I chose. Get a job that he didn't have
control over. By the time he came home – to MY home – we were no
longer a couple. I was his caregiver and he was no longer in
command. The little girl was gone. Not soon enough, he was gone.
He is still having a hard time
accepting my new way of life. He still has to interfere to show me
that he is still there and that he is not happy, but I am – very
happy. He picks fights with me to try to disrupt my life but no
matter. If he “wins”, I really win. I have a man who loves me
and the love of my children – ALL of my children. A house is just
that, a house. Wherever I end up will be home. I have the freedom to
make it so.
Oudoe,
Ingrid
