It’s been two days since the big fight, more like family beating. My head is still aching badly and the wounds inflicted by the cane was red and swollen. My skin is not as strong as I thought.

My mother who is still heartbroken from the situation sat at one corner of the house. Her was probably bleeding. She was starring at my father who sat at a corner, eating like nothing happened.

Everyone was expecting him to say something, to say he won’t do it again, to apologize for beating everyone up or even say sorry. But no, he sat like the owner of the house he is.

I got weak from watching the whole family sad. I grabbed my phone to call the police. I can’t wait for another abuse before I make a move.

Luckily, I had made a friend from the police station within my area, he would be happy to help. I quickly dialed it and it rang.

“Hello potato head, today you thought of me, I’m I safe.” He said

“Yes, ” I replied. But I’m not.” I said

“What is wrong.” He asked.

“I wan-, ” I took a look at my mother, she didn’t look like one who was ready to drag her husband to court. She loves him. I took a glance at my little brother and imagined how he would feel if our family got ruined. Would he still believe in people, would he feel confident among his peers, how much of his feelings would be damaged in this process?

Then I took a glance at my elder sister who was about to tie the knot. What would the in laws take our home as? Would they compare her to my mother? Would they still want her? Will the family drama affect hers?

Then what will the relatives do? Will they support me or throw me out? Will the woman accept my mother? Will my little cousins make fun of my family?

Then to me, will I still have faith in men? Will a man still love me or be afraid of me? How much of this will affect me? What impact will it leave on everyone.

“I want to wish you a merry Xmas.” I lied

I hung up the call and stood there, crying. What will I do, how will I fix my family? I can’t be the one to ruin it. It needs to be fixed.

Nothing seemed right, nothing made sense. But I knew what to do. I got on my knees and prayed. I invited God into the family. I asked him to intervene and I made an oath. If he fixes everything, I will do whatever he wants. If he doesn’t, I’m going to court.

I don’t know how long it will take for him to fix everything but I trust him to. I know he will. I have the feeling deep down. While waiting for the answer to my prayers, I kept my family in order.

I read books and listened to tapes. I asked for help from relatives, made them talk to my father. I helped my mother recover from the pain and got her into praying for my father.

My Elder sister worked on my brother, helped build his confidence and kept him far from my father’s anger.

I know I can’t carry everything alone. So, I invited help. With God’s love and relatives intervention, I knew my family would be okay.

Behind the fury tempered man, there is a loving father in him. All he needs is our support, love and prayer to overcome the temper and we were ready to fight it. I don’t know how long it’s going to take but are ready to endure and wait. It’s better than dragging the public to it.

https://judithsworld.art.blog/2020/12/21/how-to-survive-in-an-abusive-home/