Intimate Betrayal

“In the beginning”

            My story all begins in a small town located in the state of Gaston, Mississippi. My mother, Jo’Anne Elise Abicottee, had just completed High School. When she decided to commit herself to very noble and charming young man; by the name of Michael D. Armond Fowler. Whom himself, had just graduated from Adam’s Ville Central High. He then enrolled into the Army National Guard. Where he served a 2 year term, as a veteran, in the war over at Vietnam. It was during the most drastic time of the year. When gasoline prices nearly cost an arm and a leg per gallon. Welfare, was scarce for most and needy families could not seek help; even if they wanted to. Only because there was a sudden economic decline. But my mother, as strong and as ambitious as she was, showed that she had plenty of motivation. She ignored the fact that she and my father had nothing. All she did was give because it was her way to support her community. In fact, while the war was still going on over seas, she volunteered half of her senior year in college. To be a nurse’s assistant; where she tended to the wounded soldiers and their bloody bruises. The only pleasure that she got out of it was a sense of appreciation.

Unfortunately, since she fell desperately in love. She dropped out of the volunteer program and did not go back to college. To pursue an honest career as an Pediatrician. Or be honored at some big time university. Like many of us, she had destinies to ful fill. Which were to be married, have at least 3 children, and live prosperous. Indeed, she did get married, but later learned that “looks were deceiving.”

At first, my father showed compassion towards my mother.  He took her on dates to dine in fancy restaurants, wrote sonnets, love poems, and spent all of his quality time with her. He was a true Christian man with good values. He lived his life, strictly, by the holy bible. He believed in only one God and our savior, Jesus Christ. He even felt, as if, everything we did was a sin. It was no big deal to my mother because she was a very self-righteous individual. Until...two years on down the road when my father came home in bad condition. He was slowly losing his sanity. The war soon seized and my father started to treat my mother like a dog. She was no longer his princess; she was a peasant. He slapped her around and down talked her. Not to mention, sleep with other women on. It was question is to why he changed or treated her the way that he did. He kept on acting violent. To my knowledge, it was caused after his devastating experiences. Such as watching his fellow men die before him; on that battle field.

Other people assumed that it was because he faced death for the first time. That the good Lord spared him; so, he could change his selfish ways. It was, as if, he got the chance to live once more. Therefore, he became even more closer to God. After devoting himself to the church. He went around town preaching the “word of God” to other non-believers. He said that God does spiritually exist. That he shall return one fine day to deliver us from evil. Some people agreed with him and believed in every word he spoke. While others just laughed at him. Only, that was not the reason why my mother stayed with him. She stayed because she felt that she could change him. He was the main reason why she gave up her dreams on becoming an Pediatrician. He promised her that they would grow to live prosperous and happy lives together forever. Which made her longed to always be with him of every hour of every second of the day. In my mother’s eyes, he was her prince, Charming. But in mine, he was a ferocious beast. I feared him and I never wanted to acknowledge his presence. I always felt that my mother was too good for him.  She was beautiful, young, and had the looks of a professional super model. Her hair was long, dark, and toned like silk. When I gazed into her eyes, that were as brown as the shell of an walnut, it lit me up. Just like a child admiring a Christmas tree. Her complexion was clear and evenly developed. Still, she limited herself to love only him.

Nevermore, it was then the year of 1983, when she and my father both decided to move in tog