The Illusion

I heard another scream, a grunt and a large bang followed by children crying! It was so loud!

I almost fell off the couch rather my intended jump to my feet! I ran to the landing acting on pure instinct as I had done so many times in the past.

Looking up the stairs I could see two children clutching their blankets with big eyes and tears rolling out of them. I gave the two young children the peace sign and beckoned them to come down. They came to me willingly enough frightened and bewildered.

I sat them down on the couch while they cried. They repeated their request for their mother, all the while jumping at every sound.

"Let me see what I can do. Stay here ok? I'm going to check. Promise not to move unless your mother comes. Yes?"

They both nodded. I gave them a quick hug then the peace sign again.

I rushed back to the landing in time for the loudest thump and crash I'd heard so far.

Going as quickly and as quietly as I could, I zipped up the stairs.

Looking around the living room, I could see smashed furniture,  tossed items, broken glass strewn about.

From the kitchen I could hear a woman talking in a soothing, if quavering voice. A man growling in return. I crept closer to the kitchen. Peeking my head around the corner, she saw me.

Her eyes grew wide while her hand tried to wave me off as if to say,"Don't come in."

I stepped back, ready to pounce at any moment should it be needed. Pure adrenaline rather than brains pushed me on.

Guttural growls bounced from wall to wall, like orders barked from a drill sargeant.

Then advancing heavy  footsteps filled with malevolence, another crash of a pan being thrown. Then I heard a woman's voice pleading. A scuffling...then silence...more scuffling another bang.  That's it!  I couldn't stand there any longer!

I ran into the kitchen and saw his hands around her neck as he  pushed her up against the fridge. Her face getting purple as she struggled.

That rage!  The rage at the site in front of me, shot through me like an arrow!

I jumped on his back and pulled my arm around his neck and yanked as hard as I could! For a split second she was free, just long enough to get out of his grip. He then grabbed my arm and tossed me to the floor bouncing off the cupboards. He shouted something in his language shaking his fist at me. Then glared at his wife, spittle spewing in his anger and shaking his fists at her.

He grabbed his keys off the hook and stomped out slamming the door as he went. An engine rumbled then faded.

I looked over at Mrs. D and could see the anguish in her face.

I stood and walked over to her. "Are you ok? Do you need to go to a hospital?"

"No, no hospital," she rasped.

I didn't question it. I understood the need to not have authorities involved. In my experience, they do not help.

I looked at her neck which showed angry purple finger marks on her olive skin. I quickly grabbed her a glass of water.

"Your kids are downstairs on the couch where I asked them to stay. I'll go check on them and bring them up" 

She nodded drinking sips of the water I gave her. Down the stairs, I shut and locked the front door. Not easily as it was slightly bent on its hinges.

Walking into the small living room where the two crying children were still on the couch. Fright must have kept them there. Whatever it was, I was glad for it.

"It's alright now.  It's over. Your Dad went for a drive and your mom's upstairs okay? Let's go see her and she can put you guys to bed."

They nodded and up we went. She had a silk scarf around her neck so the children didn't see the marks. She gave them each hugs and, brought them to their room.

Mrs. D came out of the bedroom after a time. Comforting her children no doubt.

"Are you sure you don't want help? You're the mother, maybe it will be different for you." I said.

"No." She said again. "No help."

I said no more.

Quietly I took a garbage bag, the broom and dust pan and began to clean up. After a few minutes of picking up broken items, I looked over at Mrs. D who was crying softly.

I didn't quite know what to do except offer her a consoling look. After a few minutes, she picked up the broom and started to sweep.

As we worked, I couldn't help but wonder what would happen next? Has the other shoe dropped?

Or perhaps it's all just illusion....

Perhaps living peacefully IS the illusion.

The dance begins again.