|
Domestic Violence
" My mom let out a loud scream but it was suddenly muffled by his hands. "
By Chandra Touch
Listen
to this Commentary!
Youth Radio's Chandra Touch experienced domestic violence at a young age when her mother’s then boyfriend terrorized her family. Chandra’s story is a co-production of Blunt Radio, in Portland, Maine, and Youth Radio. (November 1st on KQED)
A loud bang came from the front door. He was back again. My mom told him to go away. He just angrily told her “NO”, and repeated those three little words: “I LOVE YOU”. I never understood that kind of love. I love my Mom, my rabbit and my friends. But my rabbit never attacked me with his paws, my mom never called me a slut, and my friends never really made me cry.
I heard the bolt lock come undone and my body froze. My mom let out a loud scream but it was suddenly muffled by his hands. “I LOVE YOU” he said again. As he smashed her body against the wall. I didn’t have to see it with my own eyes. The framed picture of Big Bird rattling on my wall explained it all.
I wanted to cry, but I was afraid he would hear me. Just like he heard me the last time. That time my mom tried to calm me down but I couldn’t. He pulled the orange extension cord from the power socket and headed towards me. Four strikes with the orange extension cord. Those whips hurt more than my bike scrapes.
This time I cried quietly as I tiptoed to my desk and grabbed the phone. My chubby fingers dialed 911. Within minutes I saw the blue lights outside my window and heard the siren. There I stood, phone in my hand, next to my Care Bear night light.
It’s been twelve years since I’ve seen the guy with the orange extension cord. But he wasn’t the last man to commit violence against my family.
They say people learn from their mistakes, but I’ve already learned from the mistakes of mom, my aunts, and my sister. I’ve loved cautiously, with one foot out the door – careful never to let a man overpower me. And I’m working hard to keep the promise I made to my mom – never to end up like her.
|
|
