Photo Copyright – Douglas M. MacIlroy
On the surface her life appeared perfect, but the veil of a neat and tidy existence was just for show. Behind the facade she was a mess. She downed a handful of meds every morning just to be able to cope with her emotionally abusive husband. The bruises he left were never visible, but the scars ran deep.
After he left for work she strung a rope from the chandelier in the foyer-not knowing for sure whether or not it would hold her weight. With noose around her neck, she choked down her pills and stepped off the chair.
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October 15th, 2014 at 8:55 AM
Adam, Poor woman. I wonder who her husband will find to abuse now. Well written. — Susan
October 15th, 2014 at 9:10 AM
Poor woman indeed. I’m sure he’ll find someone to take his aggressions out on to make himself feel important. Hopefully they don’t end up in the same boat as this woman.
October 15th, 2014 at 9:26 AM
Ouch. Very well written and well told Adam.
October 15th, 2014 at 9:46 AM
Thanks, Al.
October 15th, 2014 at 11:55 AM
Welcome :-)
October 15th, 2014 at 11:16 AM
Oh dear! That’s going to be a botched suicide for sure! Few chandeliers are as sturdy as those used in productions of Phantom of the Opera. Good story, Adam. You have me worried about the repercussions of this characters poor planning.
All my best,
Marie Gail
October 15th, 2014 at 12:29 PM
I have my doubts about her plan as well, but it could always fall on her and smash her head it. Could still get the job done.
October 15th, 2014 at 12:08 PM
I was able to completely relate to the first paragraph. yikes with the second, but very well told.
October 16th, 2014 at 8:19 AM
It saddens me that you can relate. Even worse, I don’t think you’re anywhere near alone in that regard.
October 15th, 2014 at 12:38 PM
Interesting where this took you. But I can see the “neat and tidy” and can feel for this poor woman. Well done.
October 16th, 2014 at 8:20 AM
Thanks.
October 15th, 2014 at 3:07 PM
It seems like she took no risk to fail … both pills and noose.. but I assume the husband will come out a mourning husband finding new victims to abuse easily…
October 16th, 2014 at 8:21 AM
The pills were just her continuing her normal routine. They won’t kill her if the rope fails, but either way the husband will likely come out on top.
October 15th, 2014 at 6:20 PM
How sad. Good job.
October 16th, 2014 at 8:21 AM
Thank you.
October 15th, 2014 at 9:55 PM
Wrong person on the end of the rope, unfortunately.
October 16th, 2014 at 8:22 AM
Couldn’t agree more.
October 15th, 2014 at 11:37 PM
Dear Adam, What a horrible husband - he should have the noose! Nan
October 16th, 2014 at 8:22 AM
You’re not wrong.
October 15th, 2014 at 11:42 PM
Quite sad. Certainly wish she’d called someone for help before this.
October 16th, 2014 at 8:23 AM
Unfortunately most people in a similar situation likely won’t call someone.
October 16th, 2014 at 2:18 AM
What a sad story. I hope she finds peace.
October 16th, 2014 at 8:24 AM
I hope so too.
October 16th, 2014 at 4:46 AM
Emotional abuse is a terrible thing, and hard to communicate to others. No doubt the husband will find a way to manipulate the situation to his advantage. Well told, and an important issue raised
October 16th, 2014 at 8:25 AM
Sadly, I think you’re right about the husband. It shouldn’t be that way, but it probably will be.
October 16th, 2014 at 5:25 AM
Dear Adam,
I guess I’ll just go shoot myself. Man, that’s a strong story from another direction entirely. Well done. The detail of her taking her pills before hanging herself was just right.
Aloha,
Doug
October 16th, 2014 at 8:27 AM
Don’t shoot yourself on my account!
October 16th, 2014 at 5:25 AM
Dear Adam,
I find it fascinating that you arrived at your story from this prompt.
The worst scars are inflicted by word of mouth. You made me want to cry.
Shalom,
Rochelle
October 16th, 2014 at 8:35 AM
I had no idea it was going to go there when I started writing it. I was halfway through it before I realized what was going to happen. But if you look at the photo it’s all there. A tidy foreground, a mess in the background, a cord of some sort hanging down, and I’m sure there’s something about her time ending in that messed up clock. What can I say? I see darkness in the light and light in the darkness. I think I might have a loose screw or two.
October 16th, 2014 at 9:33 AM
Dear Adam,
I think loose screws go along with creativity. ;)
Shalom again shalom,
Rochelle
October 16th, 2014 at 9:23 AM
Such a sad story. Well done! I completely missed the cord in the background after those bottles caught my attention. Hopefully, her suicide plan will be foiled by a loose chandelier. Of course, the chandelier itself my be the cause of her death after it crashes down on her, but that’s another story entirely.
October 17th, 2014 at 9:39 PM
I had the same thought, Lisa. I have no clue if she’ll be successful in her task.
October 16th, 2014 at 7:17 PM
Such hopelessness always leaves me baffled.
October 17th, 2014 at 9:39 PM
You and me both.
October 16th, 2014 at 10:16 PM
So sad. I hope she doesn’t do it. Well written, Adam. Nice job.
October 17th, 2014 at 9:40 PM
Thanks, Amy.
October 17th, 2014 at 1:12 AM
Every word unfolded before my eyes as though I were watching a film…not reading a story. Awesome job…
October 17th, 2014 at 9:40 PM
That’s quite a compliment. Thank you very much.
October 17th, 2014 at 1:43 AM
This story has a real bitterness, a hopelessness to it. well done.
October 17th, 2014 at 9:40 PM
Thank you.
October 17th, 2014 at 9:05 AM
Poor woman - if that piece of string is all she’s using she’ll just end up with a sore neck. Leave the bastard - don’t give him the satisfaction of causing your death.
October 17th, 2014 at 9:42 PM
For one reason or another (self doubt, fear, etc.) some people just don’t seem to comprehend reason or logic when they’re in these situations, a sad reality.
October 17th, 2014 at 10:52 AM
You portrayed her despair so well, nicely crafted story.
October 17th, 2014 at 9:43 PM
Thanks. I wasn’t sure I could pull this one off, but it seems to have gone over as intended.
October 17th, 2014 at 1:59 PM
It amazes me how many people pretend their life is perfect to the outside world, yet on the inside they’re a “perfect mess.” Well done!
October 17th, 2014 at 9:44 PM
You’re not wrong. There certainly are a lot of people out there like that.
October 17th, 2014 at 10:24 PM
Gruesome of a different sort this week, Adam. It is terrible that people live in these situations, then think suicide is their only way out.
October 19th, 2014 at 3:25 PM
Crikey Adam, no pulling of punches with this story. Content has a raw feel to it that hits you for six. Good job