| Copyright © Lynda B G Low 2006 |
| SHORT STORIES Bruised And Battered |
| CODE: SB-0001 / A SHORT STORY ABOUT BROKEN DREAMS |
| Lynda's Creations |
| EXCERPT OF STORY... That night as Susie lay sore and utterly devastated on a thick mattress on the floor, I made her promise she would never ever consider going back to her abusive husband. "We'll find you a good job, a good home... and maybe, even a good husband. One who will not beat you up like you're some kind of punch bag for his pent-up frustrations!" Susie was quiet, too quiet. She was staring at the ceiling and in a world of her own. So, I tried calling her back to reality fearing that if I did not do so quickly enough she would get lost in that world and its craziness. "Susie!" I said then raised myself up onto my elbows to have a better look at her with that strange faraway expression on her face. "Yes, Ta. I heard you. And, I promise." She said softly as she rolled over to face away from me as if she was surrendering to sleep at last. But, she could not fool me. Susie, sweet vulnerable Susie, was never a good pretender although in her happier younger days she, high-spirited then, had often gushed about one day becoming a famous movie star. "Just like those Bollywood screen goddesses laughing happily as they run in and out of the trees and bushes!" she had giggled excitedly. How time has changed her! She could smile from one ear to the other but when she was hurting it was apparent to everyone. It was those eyes of hers. Like an open book, they told so many tales. And, lately, they were sad ones. Over the years, her eyes seemed to have lost their shine, their search for love and happiness, their zest for life. That night I tried very hard to sleep. And I finally did, just before daybreak, after listening to her muffled sobs all through the quiet night. I suspected she was once again thinking back to those days when Bobby, her college sweetheart was alive. Kind and gentle, he had always been there to protect and care for her until the fateful day of his fatal car accident… No sooner had I found some sleep, I felt the sunlight streaming through my window and onto my face. With a start I jumped out of my bed thinking that I had overslept and was going to be late for work. Then I realized that it was a Saturday. And, then I remembered Susie. But, she was not there on the floor mattress nor anywhere in the flat. As before, she had disappeared quietly in the early hours of morning without saying goodbye. She was, I suspected, too ashamed to look anyone in the eye so she had sneaked off way before the rest of us were up and about. Disappointed, I dropped myself onto the bed then felt overcome with sadness. Sad that Susie had, once again, gone back to her habitually drunk and wife-battering husband. Sad that Susie had promised to be strong but yet again failed herself, yes herself, not me nor any of her other friends, but herself. I was sad, very sad, that she had obviously succumbed once again to what she kept insisting was her fate... |
