Mothers With Children
It started so small. I used to think, “he doesn’t hit me very often, so I guess I’m not really abused.”
But I realized it wasn’t about how often. It wasn’t about his anger, or stress, or alcohol, or drugs. It was about control. How he had it and I didn’t.
He used to call me at work ten or more times to check on me. He would tell me what to wear. He would expose our daughters to his angry, drunken bouts, and I couldn’t stand feeling like they weren’t safe in their own house.
When I’d finally had enough, I started getting things together in a box in our storage room so he couldn't find it. I put my birth certificate in it, and the girls’ immunization records. I got a copy of our marriage license, our social security cards, and the girl’s school records. I put extra keys to everything in there: our house, the car, and our safety deposit box.
After he left for work one day, I packed a suitcase for me and the kids, put the box, the dog, and the girls in the car, and went to The James House. I knew they would arrange shelter for us for a few nights until they helped us find another place. Our first night out of the house, for the first time in years, I slept through the night. We've been in our new place now for two weeks, and I’m finally feeling calmer. I’m so glad I didn’t have to get all that stuff together when I was upset; I didn’t realize until we were gone that I was scared to death.
When I see him in court in two months, Carolyn from The James House said she’ll be right there beside me. It’s good to know my family has the support of The James House.
Call one of our Client Services Coordinators for more information on any of our confidential services.
Monday-Thursday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., 804-458-2704
Subscribe to RSS Feed
