Little Wife Goes Back Home

The very next day Little Wife called the local police station.

“Hello, is this the police?  Yes, my name is Little Wife and I left my abusive husband yesterday.  Yes, his name is Big Man.  Yes, my children and I left him yesterday with nothing but the clothes on our backs…and a little bit of laundry detergent,” she smiled as she said that but her hands were shaking.  “We would like to go back to the house and get some of our clothes, but we are afraid to go back there.  He is very angry and very dangerous.  We are afraid he might hurt us again.”

“Little Wife, thank you for calling.  We would be glad to send a squad and two officers over to the house.  What is the address and what time will you be there?”

Little Wife got off the phone and cried tears of relief for the provision of safety.  She drove back to Big Man’s grim house later that day and saw that the police were there already, waiting for her.

“Hello, officer, yes I am Little Wife, as you can see,” she spoke quietly, looking down at her feet.  She could feel her voice shaking almost as bad as her hands and her knees.  “Thank you for meeting us here to get our clothes.  I am so afraid.”

The officer was very kind and spoke gently, “We’re glad to help, ma’am.  We will go inside with you and stay with your husband in the front room while you and your children get the things you need.  We will distract him and you’ll be safe with us in the house.”

Little Wife walked carefully up the front steps and opened the heavy door, with the children and the police officers right behind her.  She heard Big Man talking very loudly on his phone, “There’s something going on over here.  I can’t talk right now.  Yes, I’ll call you back.  I have to see what’s going on here, something’s not right.  Okay, good bye.”

She froze when she saw him walking down the hallway toward her.

“Little Wife, what is going on?  I was so worried about you, are you alright?  Where have you been?  Where did you go?  Officer, thanks for bringing her back to me, I was very worried.  I love her so much.”

“Mr. Big Man, will you please sit down here in the living room?  We would like to visit with you a bit while your wife and her children gather up some of their belongings.  Yes, everything is alright.  Please sit down and let’s talk for a little while.”  The officer was friendly but firm.  Big Man sat down with a very confused look on his face.

“Okay, ma’am, go ahead, everything is alright.  We will sit here with Mr. Big Man until you’re ready to go.”

Little Wife’s children walked quickly and seriously past Big Man to their bedrooms, each with a garbage bag to stuff some clothes in.  Little Wife paused for just a moment and looked him straight in the eye, then walked upstairs to gather her most important items and clothes.  

She could hear him downstairs talking to the police officers.  “Oh I do love my Little Wife.  We had a little disagreement yesterday after my golf outing, but we are really so much in love.  I would do anything for her.  She’s very sensitive and gets confused so easily.  If I could just go upstairs and talk with her for a few minutes, I’m sure we could get this all settled.  I’ll just be right back…”

Little Wife heard one of the officers say, “No, Mr. Big Man, please sit down again and tell us about your golf game.  We will be leaving pretty soon, but we really want to hear about your round.  What’d you shoot yesterday?”

She had been holding her breath, but now Little Wife exhaled and started breathing again.  She finished her tasks quickly and went to help her children.  It didn’t take very long and they were ready to go again.

“Thank you, Officers, yes we are done here.  Really done.”  Little Wife and her children walked past Big Man again.  She noticed he was turning a deep shade of red, always the first sign that he was very very angry.  

“Mr. Big Man, could you please have a seat here for just a few more minutes?  Thank you, sir.”

“But what’s going on,” he asked very loudly.  “Why is she leaving with her clothes?  I don’t know why she is acting like this.  Usually she is so loving and sweet, so kind and caring.  Why, my Little Wife would never hurt a fly.  Are you okay, darlin’?  You know how much I love you.  I know you’ll be back soon, right?”

Little Wife and her children walked out to the car with their bulky plastic bags and arms full of important books and papers.  “Is everyone okay?” she asked as they pulled away from the curb.

“Yes, Mom, we’re fine.  Let’s get out of here.”

“Sounds great to me.  Thank you, Jesus.”  

*****

Chaplain’s Note:  Escaping from our abusers can be a very frightening experience.  We know they will be angry with us.  We know they might try to manipulate us to return.  Of course, they will make promises to never hurt us again if only we will only come back to them.  Gentle reader, be strong in the Lord and the power of His love.  He will care for you in the most amazing ways when you trust in Him.  Don’t be afraid to trust His heart, even when you can’t see His hand.  He has given you a sound mind and will give you all the wisdom you need to make healthy choices, a brand new start in life.  Sometimes we just have to take a leap of faith believing that our Father’s love is greater than anything else we know.

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and a sound mind.”    2nd Timothy 1:7