Triggering.. My step father

I had a nightmare about this and thought I would share. I dont really bring up my past much as I know alot of peeps here have been through worse. My step father was a very cruel and mean man, but he never did anything sexually to us.. Thank God.. Just physical, mental and very much emotionally. My mother only stopped him once. When he was going to throw a lamp at me when I called the police on him for beating my mother and us.. We always went to stay with her friends or my Aunties. The cops knew us kids by name. They would take him to the coffee shop and then bring him back. My mom would lock us in the bedroom with her with all the furniture against the door so he could not get to us.. It was awful..  I moved back home with my mom and Earl ( Erk the jerk) when I was 23. I had just had my son Ryan and his father had left me without a job, car and my apartment. I worked for him as a cocktail waitress and he fired me cause I wouldnt have an abortion.. I hated it but I had no where else to go. I guess thats why mom let us go through so much abuse. Anyway, Earl hated me and my mother and sis were kinda jealous of me cause I was single and could do as I wanted. I spent alot of time at the bars when I should have been home with my son. I guess I was trying to find someone to love me.. In a bar for Godsakes. But anyway, my mother and sister thought my life was wonderful and wanted to live like I had. My sister divorced her husband and started going out. My mother also started going out all the time.. This really made Earl angry and he always acused me of being the one that got her to wanting to be out. One night I had gone to bed early and had Ryan in his crib in my room. No one was home. Earl came home very drunk and realized my mother wasnt home. He got a rifle out of the closet and started marching up and down the hall, cocking the rifle and yelling that he was going to kill her. He had not realized I was in my bedroom. I just prayed to God that he would not realize I was home cause I knew for sure he would come in drunk and take me out. I also prayed Ryan would not wake up and give us away as I crawled under my bed to hide. He marched up and down the hall talking to his self and cocking his rifle. I was scared to death and tried not to breath as I know he would have killed me. He carried on this way for atleast two hours. Stopping to drink more and call all of us names under his breath, use the bathroom (right next to my room) and cock his rifle. Two hours, I hid under that bed, praying for my life. I dont remember ever being that scared.. After awhile he was walking alot slower and hitting the walls with the butt of his gun. The walking just got slower and slower until I heard a big thump.. After that I never heard another sound. He had passed out in the hall with the rifle. I still did not dare leave from under my bed. About 45 more minutes passed and I heard the frontroom door open. My mother walked down the hall, took the rifle out of Earls hands and started calling my name and came into my room and turned the light on. She asked where I was and I told her. She was so flaming drunk she didnt even realize what I had gone through for the last few hours... I will never forgive her or him for that.. She just laughed it off. Sometimes my mother would wait for Earl to come home and if she knew he was drinking, she would call him into the bathroom. AT that time all us kids knew what was going to happen. She would tell him something bad about one of us so she would not get the beating. Myself and my sister and two of my brothers would wonder who was going to get it... We hated that bathroom and what my mother would do to protect herself.. Hell the two boys were his and my mothers. But he would usually come out and say " you fucking worthless whores" and then it was either my sister or me that had to pay. But it also happened to them..  Earl is dead now but I have never forgotten what he did to all of us. This is just one of a thousand examples.. I have forgiven but will never forget.. I also shall never forgive my mother for letting us go through this and then adding to the pain.. I could never do this to one of mine.  I may have worked in the bars and played in them but I would never let any person place or thing hurt my children like my mother and step father did us. My father knew and still would not protect my sister and I.. How sad is that? Enuf said.. Maybe I will tell more in the future.. My kids could have never lived under the conditions that my brothers, sister and I lived under.. And then my mother wonders why we all have so many problems....  I love all my friends here one and all. We all have had things that hurt us, trigger us and maybe keep us from feeling the love that we so desperately have needed in our lives.. But I really do love and appreciate you all. If it were not for you and my kids, I would not be doing as well as I am.. I would do anything to keep my friends from ever having to go through abuse.. I just wish I could do more.. Stay safe, and dont let anyone make you feel worthless. You are all wonderful and I know that for a fact.. Please believe me when I tell you this.. I have never met a better bunch of human beings in my life.. We all deserve the best that life has to offer.. Peace.. Y'Vonne

Replies

deleted_user
deleted_user

While I read your journal, I felt like I was right there with you under that bed. I remember what it was like hiding for hours at a time knowing I\'d be killed if I was found. That\'s something no child should ever have to go through in life. You are so amazing coming away from all that abuse as the kind and loving parent and woman that you are. Thank you for sharing that piece of your past. Hopefully, we can all help you carry it and your load will be lighter. Love you, Toddi
deleted_user
deleted_user

I am in shock having just read your most tragic story. My heart was actually beating out of my chest as you hid under the bed...I cannot even imagine what it was like for you at that time. All I can say is that I am so sorry that you ever had to endure that (and I am sure many other) horrific experiences. I am not sure which is worse, Earl, for his actions, or your mom for her lack there of. Tight hugs... I admire your strength, and your willingness to share such a personal story with us. I feel that your family is very very lucky to have you, and I feel equally as fortunate to call you my friend. You are truly an awesome woman!! I am hoping that by writing out the events of that terrible night, you were also able to in some way let part of it leave you. I wish only the best for you in every aspect of your life.
deleted_user
deleted_user

Wow hun! I will never leave you! You have been here for me always. Right from the day I joined. You are healing still and will probably continue to do so forever! Sounds like you have become an awsome mother and very strong woman because of your past and your healing. Continue on the path you have now chosen for yourself. Know I am always here for you.
deleted_user
deleted_user

i have never cried reading another\'s journal...until now. you became such a lovely and caring person despite them...and that is amazing! you are an inspiration, and what you have been through is horrific! i am sure earl has his own special place in hell...and you can just keep on being wonderful!
deleted_user
deleted_user

Please never measure abuse, EVERYONES hell is THEIR OWN!! my heart breaks for you and your siblings.. I am sorry to say it but I am happy that ERL is dead.... Your mother is very very lucky to have you in her life, I ran as fast as I could from my parents and NEVER EVER looked back.... Please Stay strong...
deleted_user
deleted_user

Wow I just want to praise you for being so strong even when you felt weak. I went thru similar situations growing up with step fathers and my own dad. Not so much physical as emotional but I know how it feels to feel powerless and out of control. The important thing is we\'ll be better stronger people because of what we\'ve been thru and I just want to thank you for sharing a part of your story
deleted_user
deleted_user

Honey, first I have to say that I am really sorry that you had to live through this. I know that is a very lame thing for me to say, and it makes no difference at all, but I really mean it. You mentioned no sexual abuse, Just emotional and physical, but they are both horrific things to live through. My heart cries for that little girl and teen and even young adult. I am glad that you survived and have grown into the wonderful, loving person that you are.