Sunshine Valley

Dinner in the park

     She, Della, and Stella buzzed around like bees. It gave her plenty to do so she didn’t think about the speech. Dillon and Bradley showed up as others were getting their food. Dillon pulled her aside, “are you okay?”

     “Nervous.”

     “I’m right here.”

     She blushed, “thank you.”

     As everyone was eating, Povol got up. She thanked everyone for coming. Was impressed with the size of this year’s crowd. Explained that October was domestic violence awareness month and gave an overview of what d.v. was. Thanked law enforcement from the officers to court house staff for doing such a fine job. Then she explained about the victim speaker. Silence filled the park as she introduced Evelyn. 

     As she walked to the steps of the small stage, she knew Dillon had an idea. He had read reports, saw pictures. Her dad had visited her once while she was in the hospital but didn’t know much. This wasn’t going to be fun for anyone. Povol gave her a great big hug and handed her the microphone. She accepted it and sat on the top step of the stage. 

     Her voice cracked as she said hello. She cleared her throat, “hi. As most of you know, I’m Jack’s daughter.” She decided to focus on Dillon; instead of weaving her attention on different members of the crowd. “Some teenagers are encouraged by school officials, parents (not mine),” She smiled. “Mom and dad would’ve been just as happy if I’d stayed in Sunshine Valley. They are encouraged to go off to school, learn all you can. Grab Atlas by the balls and hold on tight. Get a good job. Well, I did those things: got a good education. Good job. Got married. Together, we were kickin’ the world’s ass. We had the big house. The nice cars. We went on lavish vacations. I was able to fly my parents out for my wedding. So, my ex knew my family. Knew where I was from. It was never a secret. My parents had a good marriage. Though my relationship with my mother was tumultuous. I’ve since learned a lot of teenage girls go through that phase. I had no idea what domestic violence was. That happens to other people.” Povol brought her a bottle of water. She mouthed thank you and took a drink. “I have worked from home long before working from home was popular. Had an office set up in the basement. One evening, I came home from work, as it were. My ex was watching football. I decided not to disturb him. So I took a shower. When I came out of the bathroom, most of you know how we’re dressed. Wrapped up in a towel. Hair is in a towel. He ripped the towel off my head, drug me through the house by my hair and tied me to the foot of the bed. I stayed like that for a month. Dad got to missing me and called in a wellness check. That’s how I was found the first time. During that month, he sold my horse. Riding was amazing. And I was good at it. That was the first thing to go. We did okay for about 6 months.” She paused, “not okay. Someone asked, ‘why didn’t you leave’? Since we didn’t have any children and he had sold my horse, he threatened to have my dad killed. After that ‘I’m sorry, I’ll never do it again period. Or honeymoon phase.’ I paid for it dearly, he beat me so badly, that he got scared and took me to the e.r. Not for my sake but because he was afraid he’d gone too far. Even told police that. He said that we had gotten into a verbal altercation, it escalated, then he lost control. Some asked, ‘why didn’t you tell the e.r. staff you were in trouble’? He never left me. And from that point on, was always in control. I’m not going to go into the messy details, overall I was taken to the e.r. 6 times. Again, I was asked, ‘why didn’t you run’? I knew him well enough to know that all he had to do was make a call and he would have killed my dad. As a child, could you live with that kind of guilt? Each time I was taken to the e.r., I was at deaths door. My ex locked me in a closet and was for the most part starving me to death. Had it not been for the bravery of my dad, I wouldn’t be here. For,” Evie stopped, thinking. “Untold years, he fought the power of money for my life. Right now, my ex is in prison. He shot a cop. I’m using this time to try to put back as much of my life as I can. Thanks to amazing people, I have a strong support system. Domestic violence doesn’t care if you are rich or poor. What your ethnic background is. What school you went to. It doesn’t care if you’re a doctor, lawyer, or a fry cook. It doesn’t discriminate. It blacks eyes, breaks bones, breaks your spirit and crushes your soul. Threatens your very existence and the existence of the people you love.” 

Sunshine Valley