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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Elephant in the Room (12/05/13)
Daphne Davis entered the Chapel Pines Church sanctuary praying underneath her breath. It was the occasion of her beloved mother's wake, and she was about to become reacquainted with an aunt and uncle she had not seen in years. It would not be a happy reunion.

Daphne's mother had succumbed to a life long battle with depression and had taken a fatal dose of sleeping pills. Daphne was beside herself with grief, and to have to see these two people again was like having the knife in her gut twisted.

Now, as she made eye contact with her aunt, she recalled the two years she had lived with them when she was ten years old at the time her mother had a nervous breakdown.

When she had first moved in with her aunt and uncle, Daphne felt blessed to be there. Bettina and George were attentive and loving. George became the father Daphne never had.

Things slowly started to change when Daphne realized George's hands lingered a little too long when he hugged her, and brushed against parts of her body that were private. Then he started coming into her room at night.

Daphne blinked tears now as she walked towards her aunt. She put on a false smile and hugged her and glanced George's way. He standing a few pews over and talking with another relative.

“My precious Daphne! How long has it been? Dear, why haven't you answered any of my letters?” Bettina asked, in her little girl voice.

“I've just been busy at school, Auntie. I want to thank you for affording me the money to go to college. I'm sorry I haven't written.” Daphne felt like a scared little girl again.

“Now, you know that I don't hold that little misunderstanding about George against you. Is that why you didn't write? Did you think I was angry at you?”

Daphne stiffened. Years before she had told Bettina about George coming into her room at night and Bettina flew into a rage and scolded her. Bettina told her no one would believe such a preposterous lie.

Something inside of Daphne suddenly snapped at hearing Bettina's words. Glimpsing George's smug smile across the room, she felt the unleashing of ten years of pent up fury coming out at last.

“Aunt Bettina, there was no misunderstanding. You called me a liar, but I told you the truth!”

“Shush now, Daphne. You know I can cut off your funds for school, and I will if you cause a scene. George never laid a hand on you. You suffer from the same mental illness as your mother, you know.” Bettina admonished.

“I'm a lot saner than you, and I don't care about school. It's only hush money. I can't keep it inside anymore. What you did to me was atrocious, calling me a liar, when you probably knew it was true all along!”

With that, Daphne turned to the crowded room of relatives. She clapped her hands and indicated for everyone to listen to her, and looked directly at George.

“Everyone, I have something you all should know. Ten years ago George Riley molested me. Not once, b-but many times over a two year period.”

Daphne's voice began to choke, and she turned and left the sanctuary, not staying for the funeral. As she drove home, she thanked God for giving her the courage to speak up after all these years.

Back at the sanctuary, one could have heard a pin drop. All eyes were on George and Bettina. George said nothing, and Bettina finally broke the silence.

“Daphne obviously inherited her mother's mental illness. She has to be crazy to say such a thing!”

From the back of the church, a soft voice spoke up. “No, she's not. He molested me two years ago when I went to spend the summer with you, Aunt Bettina.”

All eyes turned towards Angel Davis, Daphne's twelve year old second cousin. Angel stood there with tears in her eyes, and truth on her face.

George turned crimson red and guided his wife out of the sanctuary. Two weeks later Angel's father filed charges against George for sexual assault. Daphne testified at the trial and George was sentenced to five years probation.

Daphne's tuition was paid in full by Bettina, and she graduated with honors. She went on to become a Christian counselor for sexually abused girls. The family never heard from George and Bettina again.
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This article has been read 1216 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Anne Warden 
12/12/13
This topic just might be the biggest elephant in many families. It's sad! It's infuriating! But like Daphne and Angel, the only way to stop the molestation is for one or two to have the courage to speak up.

May God bless this message you're putting across.
Noel Mitaxa 
12/14/13
Powerful, courageous and - sadly - too frequent to be just another story. Well done.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
12/15/13
Wow this is stunning. It makes my heart hurt but is a topic that people need to read about and understand. Every so often we come across a news story about a girl who lied and falsely accused someone of molesting her for whatever reasons. My heart hurts when that happens because it makes it harder for people to believe your MC.It's not an easy thing to stand up and admit and as women we have to stand together in this. How wonderful that Jesus can take something so horrific and use it to glorify his name. He does do this often too. This is a powerful well-written piece and your transparency and honesty will free many.
Danielle King 
12/15/13
What a clever use of the topic. You brought something to light that should never be hidden. The fact that Mental Illness was implicated made this a more powerful story because it's a plausible cop out. There will be countless cases of abuse where the accused person got away with it for just that reason. Great writing!
Toni Babcock 
12/15/13
Nothing quite as sinister and evil as the molester and their protectors accusing the victims of being liars and "disturbed". The tone, setting and conflict was established early on in the piece which carried the reader's emotional empathy throughout the story of abuse, and came to a satisfying conclusion in exposing the perpetrators.
Judith Gayle Smith-Owens Vitouswykegardinerclark
12/16/13
I can only echo the comments here. Yes, we do have similar backgrounds of pain, but isn't God wonderful for sending Jesus to hold us, heal us and restore us to our true Father . . .
Dan Wilson
12/16/13
A vivid account of the raw emotions encountered by all involved. Powerful descriptions. Your writing draws the reader into the story. A well written entry that tells the depravity of the human heart.
Sheldon Bass 
12/16/13
You certainly pushed those buttons in our hearts that scream for justice. I can't say that a little probation satisfactorily fills our need there. But I know the stigma will cling to the perpetrator forever.

Your elephant trumpeted loudly, through your MC's feelings. Good job! I've always enjoyed your work, so I could be a little biased, but I think this entry will do well. Have a Merry Christmas!
Ruth Ann Moore
12/16/13
You beautifully addressed a very difficult topic. I admire the courage of Daphne and Angel. Wonderfully written and captivating.
Nancy Bucca
12/18/13
This may be dark, but it's tastefully written and you did a great job with the topic. I love the way you ended it.