That’s It No More
Image by prettysleepy1 from Pixabay
Why was he always yelling at her? Mary, a gentle-spoken woman knew the neighbors could hear his stentorian bark as they’d called the police more than once since they moved here from across the country a year ago.
Joe thought Mary was easily influenced and his mission was to get complete control over her. What Joe didn’t realize was that Mary had plans of her own and they didn’t include Joe.
Joe’s behavior was fine before they married six months ago and soon after he turned into someone Mary didn’t know. He was like a Jekale and Hyde. She wished she’d listened to her father after the first time he’d met Joe. He had taken her aside and in a very low, soft voice said I don’t like this guy. There’s something about him that’s not quite right, but I can’t put my finger on it just yet.
Each day it got worse. It started out at first with Joe yelling at Mary for the most nonsensical little things. Then after a few weeks, he tried to control her every move. When she was out of the house, he demanded that she call him every thirty minutes. Lately, he would put her down and try to make her feel stupid, incompetent, insignificant, and pretty much unloved. Mary wouldn’t be broken down; she was too strong-willed.
Finally, the last straw was when Joe raised his hand with his fist clenched threating to hit her for not having his dinner ready when he arrived home early. Enough was enough and Mary was not going to live like this for any longer.
Week after week Mary would stash away as much money as she could until she had enough for a taxi and a plane home. She broke free.
This story is totally fictional. I only wish that more people would and could stand up for themselves like Mary and get out of bad situations.
©Susan Zutautas 2019
This short story was written for Opposites Attract Challenge over at The Haunted Wordsmith.
Any man that controlling is going to have a much tighter reign on his money. So many cannot get away. it is especially hard for women with children, shelters are few and often cannot provide immediate help. A sad situation all around. Very well told.
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Thank you.
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A very real story, Mary was much stronger than most, she believed she could be free if him and she set her mind to it. Hard to do when you are so worn down, but she did! So did I, but it took a lot longer.
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So sorry to read that you went through this. ❤
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It’s ok, it got me to where I am now… and to the best guy ever! I just have to learn things the hard way. 🙂
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That’s a sad tale, despite it works out in the end. Sad, because it happens so often, if not to such an extreme, at least in some measure.
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I can only imagine what it would be like living in such a situation.
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Yea. I did experience 2 months of a guy wanting me to report on my every expense. Hey, rhis was my money. I could see where this was going; I was out of there quick. And I was right about him: once he got wind of it, I had to endure violence to get past him to the door. Guess he’d picked the wrong woman.
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So sorry you had to go through that. ❤
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Nah, water under the bridge. I survived. But it increases my awareness of what others go through. Mr heart goes to them 🙂
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