Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Persecuted (08/22/24)
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TITLE: Escaping the Lion's Den | Previous Challenge Entry
By Sharon Nickerson
08/29/24 -
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Her heart rate slowed as she consciously practiced deep breathing. Hugging her empty belly, she softly cried, “Oh, God, I can't take this anymore,” and slowly rocked back and forth.
Suddenly, the bedroom door was kicked open by her husband of two years. “You still sobbin'?” Cal asked with contempt. His general unkempt appearance revealed that he'd been up late drinking again. He sauntered toward Marion as she hugged her legs to her chest, and gave her head a shove sideways.
“Nuff bellyachin' 'bout that ol' abortion. Women should be for sex anyway. Who wants to bring kids into this ol' world? Now git up an' make us some eggs cuz you got a doc appointment. Let's go!” he shouted as he gave her head one more shove and stormed from the room.
“Oh, God!” Marion thought as she slowly stood, fighting the urge to crawl back into bed. “How did I go so wrong? It's my own fault, I know. But can you help me? I think you can, but I'm not sure. I'm so scared. He'll kill me if he gets the chance. I do have a cousin in Boston and she believes in You! She always sends me Christmas cards about Jesus, right? You know her, I think. She would help me get away if...well, I just don't know what else to do.” She accepted her fate as she walked into the kitchen.
“Forget it!” Cal shouted causing her to cringe. “We don't have time to eat. Git in the car! We're gonna git you fixed so no more abortions to worry about! Won't that be great!” She slowly followed him to the car in surrender. As she buckled, weak with sorrow, Cal angrily stared at her. “Whachoo gonna keep cryin' fer?” he asked as he pushed her head a little too hard so it hit the window. Marion just sank low in her seat and prayed a silent prayer to God.
“An' don't gimme none o' that God stuff either,” he growled as he sped down the dirt road. “There ain't no God. It's fairy tale stuff. God ain't real. I'm droppin' you off at the doc's. You git yer butt in there an' do what they tell ya. I gotta see a guy 'bout somethin'. I'll be right back.” He smiled with broken front teeth from the many “scraps” he'd been in. Marion knew it was smart to stay quiet and just grin at him. He'd already chipped her front tooth.
She did not want this. She had hoped she would be a momma some day. She walked into the doctor's office frightened and shaking. An older nurse, bustling about, caught sight of Marion's general poor appearance and couldn't help but walk right up to her.
“Are you okay?” Teri asked gently. Marion couldn't answer as tears rolled down her cheeks. “You look like you need to lie down. Come with me.” Teri broke protocol, took Marion's arm, and brought her into an exam room to lie down.
As Marion felt more relaxed, she opened up to Teri. Teri was a survivor of domestic abuse herself. She told Marion she couldn't take it anymore either and thought she would die in her situation. But God had helped her. Marion was surprised when Teri mentioned God.
Teri continued with the normal prep procedures before a patient sees the doctor. But Marion told her she didn't want to go through with it. And she did have a cousin in Boston. To that, Teri said, “I'll be right back.”
After thirty long minutes, Teri came back with a shoulder bag full of supplies, and an envelope full of money. “Here. I took up a collection in the office. The doctor gave you the most! We booked a ticket on a Greyhound bus right down the street and I'm going to walk you there. You go to your cousin's, and get the help you need. God will bless you when you look to Him! Never forget that He loves you very much!”
Marion was shocked and frightened. “What? Well, how do I do this? Okay, I'm not gonna ask a million questions. I'm gonna trust God, right? Right! I can do this!” She grabbed the bag, bolstered up her courage, and started following Teri out the door. Teri suddenly stopped for a moment and said, “One more thing I better tell you now. The urine test showed that you're pregnant...”
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Excellent use of the topic.
Blessings
Well done.