Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Break (02/06/06)
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TITLE: A Measure of Grace | Previous Challenge Entry
By Jefferson Durand
02/08/06 -
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Her voice is low and even, she knows that he must not know her real emotions. She will not give him the satisfaction of knowing that he had gotten her so upset. This morning she had spoken her mind; he was never home; he got called out at all odd hours and would just run off. What about her needs, why had he gotten married to her? He never remembered their anniversary; he was always too tired to take her out; there was always too much work to take a vacation… Was she just an achievement?
The husky voice came on, “Need anything from Wal-Mart’s?”
“Yeah… no, no. I’m fine.”
“Sure?”
“Sure.”
With a click the line goes dead. The air rushes out of her lungs as she sinks into the sofa. She rubs the back of her hand against her forehead and it comes away wet. Wet? Is that blood? She is bleeding!
She gets up to rush to the bathroom. The telephone cord jerks her hand; she had almost yanked it from the socket. She stops to look at her hand and notices that she is still holding on to the receiver. She turns to run to the bathroom again and stops. Why would her forehead be bleeding? I am not thinking straight. This is just sweat on the back of my hand.
“I am Daphne O’marie and I can end this! I have had enough of Richard’s antics. If I ever make some fuss for attention he calls me selfish. Will this ever stop?”
She listens to the beeping sounds as she punches the numbers on the telephone. She needed support. Ophelia would be home right now preparing lunch as usual. Over and over again “big sister” had always been there for her.
Her finger pauses over the number two. This time she will use a different approach. The telephone goes down and she gets off the sofa. Her knees drop to the floor and her body doubles over until her forehead touches the floor. She hears a voice whisper and her mind drift back to the Psalm about the tears in His bottle. He always knows what the best solution is.
“…when I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me…” The voice fades as inconspicuously as it began. Her heart gives way and she just lets the tears flow.
A familiar sound draws nearer and she recognises it. The gravels crunch under the tyres and a door slams. The front door slams no louder than usual but she is not perturbed. He enters through the kitchen and she makes no effort to hide her tears. There is nothing more she can do but let God have his way.
He has flowers? For the first time in five years he gives her the flowers and wraps his arms tenderly around her. She must be dreaming; she is exhausted. As she snuggles into her husband’s arms she feels his warmth and smells the Aspen, his favourite cologne. She had given him a bottle for his birthday. This is no dream.
They sit in silence and no one moves to say a word. She will not ask. She is satisfied with the result, and so, however God accomplished it she is eternally thankful. As the gratitude evaporates from her soul, she just cries it all out. She had almost forgotten how to feel that way.
Richard hugs his wife closer and shudders as he remembers their friend Maurice. He had gone over to his house to escape Daphne’s bickering but there was Maurice just trying to cope with the note Lizzy had left him. Lizzy had had enough. Richard had thought seriously about his life for one brief moment before rushing back home. Daphne was saying something before he stormed out.
She knows she will understand everything later but for now she just wants to enjoy her husband’s comforting embrace. This is the first time in so many years and it is all she wants.
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