Her last words to her nephew was "I love you".Her desk was adjacent to mine, within earshot, almost no privacy for curious ears, like the telephonic conversation that followed:
Her nephew called because his dad "hurt" his mom again, in actuality dad hit mom on the face because of former's violent tendencies, this mom confirmed later in the confession. My friend offered advice of contacting law enforcement so an emergency protection order will be issued and served to the abusive husband. Intermittently passing the phone from mom to nephew, i kept hearing, in the most soothing tone, my friend reassuring her young and distraught nephew: "Don't be afraid, little one, we won't let your dad hurt your mom again, ok".
Not that i want to eavesdrop but i was sort of frozen in my seat, listening attentively to the beat of my heart and to the ongoing drama of my neighbor. Strangest thing was even though i was trying hard not to peer at my friend's face, for i am sure to melt if she caught me, i was seeing her on a very attractive light, the kind of goddess emanation where a certain devotion is deserved. It was as if my quiet involvement declares my subjugation to her eloquence, which is the most blinding beauty in front of me. And at this point too, i can't help it i suppose, i was beginning to feel sorry for myself because i knew i was giving into my propensity for hopeless romanticism again.
But what can i do?
5 comments:
better the hopeless romantic than be an unfeeling beast. ;)
Why not just fess up that the office was particularly quiet one day and you hope that she doesn't mind but you couldn't help overhearing...
What a shocking case - does she think two heads might be better than one to discuss it?
Though of course it's probably better not to get *too* involved. Rather unfair of your friend to promise the little boy that his daddy would never hit his mommy again though - if she can't. And if she calls in social services, they might even take him away from both his parents I guess. Seems to me that whatever happens has got to be the decision of his mother, supported by her friends who might convince her she deserves better than someone who beats her.
The dignity of the office space is often blurred by the extended function that it is an assembly room for discussing private matters, which in some way made me think that she was awared and she did not mind me listening (for there were only the two of us at that time) because of the urgency of the call. My involvement was, of course, passive and had remain passive, and i had no business interfering, let alone be involved with blind romanticsm.
As someone who has spent the past nine years helping victims of domestic violence, my heart went out to this glimpse into a world of terror (for mother and child). And sadly this is a microcosm of a pandemic social problem ...
Domestic violence is broader than most people are aware of … in fact, almost one-third of American women have been physically or sexually abused by a husband or boyfriend at some point in their lives – On average, more than three women are murdered by their husbands or boyfriends in this country every day.
And the children who witness the violence are the equally impacted. They may have short and long term physical, emotional and learning problems, including: increased aggression, decreased responsiveness to adults, failure to thrive, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, hyper vigilance and hyperactivity, eating and sleeping problems, and developmental delays.
I hope your office mate can help her nephew and his mom find safety and healing in the days and months to come.
Peace, JP/deb
Thanks for the insight Deb. i can only imagine how hard for a child's innocence to be scarred by something violently traumatic and how it will create life-long impact on his views in general. Even though i don't personally know the kid, given the proper treatment and support around him, i'm hoping his trauma will be mended and controlled for the better.
Post a Comment