Callie R Brown

Anguish into Passion

When I was little, and people would ask me what I wanted to be when I grow up, I would tell them I wanted to be a mom. I married young and was eager to live my dream. That dream, however, soon became my nightmare. By rushing into a marriage with the first guy who asked I found myself trapped in a mentally and emotionally abusive marriage to an alcoholic. To say this “Man” was possessive, and controlling was an understatement. During the five years we were married he would lock me in our apartment while he went to work. He was Army and stationed in Germany. The door locked from the inside and out by a deadbolt with only one key. I was not allowed to go anywhere unless he was with me. Then when he was home, he would follow me around the house and even to the bathroom while I showered. I had four miscarriages while married to him. I finally found the courage to leave him after five years of abuse; even though he threatened to commit suicide if I did.