The Abyss
He stood there in his uniform looking proud. A man to respect. An upstanding man with strong ethics. As he greeted people, they were obviously impressed by his stature.
Seated on the floor, next to the sofa in the little front room, they sat side by side. Three little girls, solemn, quiet. As their daddy made the rounds thanking people for their sympathy and for the food they brought, the girls were still, barely breathing. The minister paused, then leaned down, "You girls will be fine. You're lucky to have such a fine man for a father. Don't worry, he will take good care of you."
They would remember this day for the rest of their lives. Daddy looking so perfect, dazzling everyone with his high moral code, his ethics. And, poor sweet mama in the pine box, under the ground. They would remember what really put her there. They would be thankful to have survived all the years in each new, horrid, little house. They would keep their unspoken oath of silence. The teacher had taught them well. It wasn't for them to question a man of God, like their daddy. He lived under a higher moral code.
Folks would wonder why those three lovely girls never married, living solitary lives. Why didn't they practice the faith of their father? How it would have broken their poor mama's heart to see what lives they chose to lead. Such a shame.
The girls would wonder why folks could never look past the cloud of ethics and see into the dark abyss that was their daddy's heart.
copyright February 14, 2010 ajj
11 comments:
Makes me want to cry!!
(((HUG))))
Sadly this is the case in so many homes...people just can't read behind the empty eyes....BUT I can!!!
Well done, says so much with few words....powerful...very powerful!!
Big hugs
Giggles
It's sad. Ethics are more than wrapping paper thin...or should be.
http://gildorianne.blogspot.com/2010/02/legal-but-not-ethical.html
I am so curious: how the 3 little girls turn out? Is there someone in the town that finds out what goes on behind those four walls? How does the story end?
Nice story,very well done!
I really appreciate every comment! It is a sad story. When I read the prompt, this is what came to mind. It is fiction, but I like to think it exposes some people's reality. There are people that children should be able to trust. It's a tragedy when the ethics are a mask, hiding the true nature of a dark heart.
Speaking of hearts... I hope you are all having a Happy Valentine's Day with the people you love!
Wow, a powerful tale. Speaks sadly and wisely to how people can be quick to pass judgment based on appearances, when they can't begin to know the reality.
I like how this story speaks to the problem of people who care only for the outer veneer of things.
My mama use to say "You never know what goes on behind closed doors." Mama was a wise woman.
Oh my, with Enya singing in the background and reading your tale it made me think of many things. My mother used to say the same, "You never know what goes on behind closed doors". How many self-righteous people have hidden agendas ! A sad tale...I want to read more. Lovely blog ! xoxo, paulette
I really appreciate all the comments on this story. It's close to my heart as I know so many victims of child abuse. Well... once victims, now survivors!
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