Love and Happiness

 I should have gotten out at that point. I was a strong woman who should have known that this was a red flag but as women we often ignore red flags because our desired to be loved, to belong is so strong. I had known this man as someone who could be trusted, someone that I had an association with for years. But in all honesty I knew nothing about his background, I knew noting about his family and even though he was an acquantance for over 20 years I really did not know HIM. Then came the second incident. We were in the house, putting away groceries and he slammed my hand in the vegetable cooler. "Oh my bad" he said. It gave me pause but I still ignored it. As long as he kept me drunk and high nothing else mattered. I could ignore the small stuff. Then other things started happening. He had convinced me to give up the car that I had that was in storage due to an unlawful traffic stop in Baltimore. If you know anything about the area, this is not uncommon. The police officer st...

 As I sit in my new apartment, I realized that it has been two years since I fled from my Abuser. I haven't had any contact with him or his family. My relationship with my Abuser started out with my reconnection to an old friend. I had known of him for over 20 years and we often harmlessly firted with each other, having lunch together, etc. I was married when I met him so I never pursued anything more. He often babysitted my young sons so I trusted him. He was also my cousin's best friend and occasionally we all would hang out together. When my husband at the time and me would have parties at our home he was always invited. While festiviites were taking place you could always find him in the corner drinking a beer, sitting alone with no real interaction with everyone else. I never felt as though he was a threat to me or my family. I never saw him as dangerous at all. In fact he always looked like a lost puppy to me and one of my good friends.  We lost touch over the years and ...