TRIGGER WARNING: Mention of sexual abuse and rape
In a world of darkness, a story unfolds
Of a mother’s words, cruel and cold
At 15, she discovered a painful truth
A boyfriends age, a forbidden youth
But her response, a bitter sting
No empathy, no care would she bring
She belittled and blamed, her words so unkind
Labeling me as a “slut,” leaving scars behind
She dismissed the need for justice to prevail
In her eyes, I was the one to assail
No point, she claimed, holding him accountable
Leaving me to face a torment, insurmountable
For 4 long years, his shadow loomed
A stalker’s presence, a life consumed
Jail became his temporary home
A cycle of darkness, a life to atone
Now confined within prison’s walls
The echoes of his actions, the pain still recalls
But in the midst of this haunting strife
I find the courage to reclaim my life
From the depths of pain, I rise above
A survivor, guided by strength and love
No longer defined by the scars I bear
I break free, with resilience and care
In the face of darkness, I find my light
A beacon of hope, shining so bright
For I am more than the wounds I endure
A testament to resilience, my spirit pure
And as I walk this path of healing and grace
I leave behind the shadows, embracing my own space
For in the triumph over adversity’s hold
I emerge stronger, with a story yet untold
If you or anyone you know are experiencing or have experiences sexual assault, please click the following links for help and support.
I was 15 years old and he was 21. He was aware of my age, and for a period of time, we kept our ages a secret from our families. It was during a drive through downtown Chicago that he decided to disclose his true age to my mother. Yes, it was an "intimate" relationship. Yes, my mother knew that, and yes, she will deny it until the day she dies.
As an adult, I asked my mother why she didn't press charges and she seemed appalled and disgusted. She replied, "It wasn't worth sending a man to prison because my daughter lied about her age and tempted him." However, he knew my age and frequently got me high and drunk. Not only was he an adult and I was a minor, but I wasn't even at the legal age of consent, which was 16 at the time. I frequently told him no and he disregarded my objections.
For four years, he followed me closely. Eventually, he committed a bank robbery and was charged with felony stalking and I think domestic violence. He is currently serving time in prison. Sounds like she saved a great man from "my" mistake, huh?
I want to mention that my parents met when my father was 15 and my mother was 19. When I was born, my mother was 20 and my father was 16. Yes, you read that correctly. My father is a registered sex offender; he was 20 when he raped a 12 year old girl. (He claims it's nonsense because they were in a relationship...) Numerous allegations exist, but fear has prevented many people from taking action. Am I portraying a mother burdened by guilt, shielding someone because that’s what everyone did for her, and for my father? I don’t know, I guess your guess is as good as mine!
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