The highlight below is an excerpt from my upcoming book,
Solid Journey Highlights - The Victoria Chronicles
Solid Journey Highlights - The Victoria Chronicles
The book is based on true events from my life.
Highlight One
A Matrimonial Walk on the Dark Side
A Matrimonial Walk on the Dark Side
Psalm 139:12 - Yea, the
darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness
and the light are both alike to thee.
Victoria
was a young federal government employee when she married Greg, a man who is
personally acquainted with the criminal justice system. Greg has had more than a few appointments
with the judicial process. On several
occasions, those appointments “hospitably” registered him as a “guest” of the
U.S. penal system.
Victoria and Greg
dated, off and on, for a few years prior to their advancement to matrimonial
status. They had a small ceremony held
in Victoria’s apartment unit in southeast Washington, D.C.
Greg was more than a
little late for the wedding. Was that
some sort of sign?
Greg, a truck driver
for Cheshire Bakery Company, moves in the unit with Victoria. Things go reasonably well until Greg signs on
to two additional occupations, neither of which provides benefits. You would think that the least they would
offer is hazardous duty pay. What
ingrates! Don’t they know that they
should reward their loyal employees? Can
this matter gain momentum for progression to a class action suit? This injustice needs to be adjudicated. Humph!
What, you wonder,
are the additional occupations that Greg has undertaken? Facts are – they have taken him under –
shadily. Greg has entered the sordid
professions of pimping and drug dealing.
Also, he generously deals himself “medication” from his illicit
stash. Greg does more than a little sampling
of the medicinal product.
Good thing for Greg
that he’s “shaking and baking” at Cheshire Bakery where he’s worked for three
years. He gets fair benefits there. But what about those folks who pimp and do
drug deals on a full-time basis? What
about their benefits? Are they worthy
candidates for a class action suit? Of
course not - the wages of sin is death.
The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ the Lord.
As an adult, Greg
met his father, Reg.
Reg is a former
government employee who became a pimp.
Go figure. He was paralyzed from
the waist down by a rival pimp, who, in a fit of envy, unloaded a bullet in
Reg.
Greg learned the
pimp game, among other unsavory practices, from his father. How’s that for father/son bonding?
One prostitute,
Jessica, tricks for Greg. Her drug habit
led her to leave a professional media career to join ranks with him.
In the midst of all
this turmoil and marital unrest, Victoria accepts Jesus as her Savior. She’d been raised in church but as a
teenager, she’d ceased to attend. She
becomes a member of Salt and Fire Tabernacle of the Holy Redeemed. Julius Crane is the pastor.
Frequently, Greg is
away from home. He spends the bulk of
his time at his mother Mona’s northwest Washington apartment on Fairmont Street
where Greg was raised with his older brother, Tony. The apartment is in an inner city
neighborhood where, as a teenager, Greg met Victoria. Now his marriage to her has become
increasingly distant. Victoria’s recent
choice for Jesus is a major bone of contention for Greg; spiritual pursuits are
not on his agenda. He, for the most part,
has abandoned Victoria, and along with his other vices, Greg is engaged in
adulterous activities.
The distress in her
marriage has Victoria in a prolonged state of loneliness and despair. Misery consumes her. Victoria’s family and friends do what they
can to help and comfort her. She’s soon
to learn new things about the rewards provided by Superman, the Lord Jesus
Christ. The Prince of peace doesn’t wear
tights but He sure knows how to deliver from tight places. For Victoria, it shall come to pass.
Thunder claps are
heard outside the open windows of the apartment unit. Pensively, Victoria watches Greg as he gets prepared
to go out yet again.
His handsome toffee
brown body stands before the full-length mirror combing his bushy hair.
“Where are you going?”
Smirking and
stroking his chin, Greg faces Victoria. “Uptown.”
“Again! You live here, Greg!”
With full blast
arrogance, Greg strides his six feet two frame over to within inches of
Victoria’s face. “Like I said, I’m going
uptown!”
Dejected, Victoria
solemnly asks, “Where’s your care and consideration for me - for us?”
Greg steps back, shoots Victoria a disgusted
look, and flippantly asks, “Why don’t you ask Jesus?”
Victoria gasps, stunned
at Greg’s uttered disrespect for Jesus.
She fastens her eyes on him.
He glares then walks
away to finish dressing.
Victoria opens her
mouth to respond, decides to refrain, and instead leaves the room. She doesn’t want Greg to witness the flow of
tears that begin to stream down her cheeks.
Minutes later, Victoria hears the front door close.
Greg is gone - again.
Victoria’s
collective grief overcomes her. She
yields to the sobs that pour forth from the essence of her soul; agony has a
firm relentless grip. She ponders, “Why
did I choose such a man? Would I have
been so inclined if my stepfather weren’t an alcoholic, and if my mother hadn’t
been ill so much? She was often
incapable of adequately caring for us.
Would I have chosen better if my biological father had been a presence
in my life before the death of my mother when I was a teenager? Would Greg have become a good man if his
father had been a constructive example in his life?”
Victoria’s soap
opera life has dramatically altered her mental landscape. On a dreary overcast morning that echoes her
clouded disposition, Victoria makes an appointment for pastoral
counseling. She arrives at the church
and is ushered into Pastor Julius’ sparsely furnished office.
He listens intently
to Victoria pour out her woes and sorrows.
When she’s done, Pastor Julius folds and rests his chubby tanned hands
on the well-worn mahogany desk. He firmly
advises, “You don’t have a marriage, Victoria.
Greg is excess baggage. Unload him.”
Even though she’s a
baby Christian, Victoria’s spirit doesn’t agree with the pastoral counsel.
Victoria slides to
the edge of the chair. “I appreciate
your advice Pastor Julius, but I’m not inclined to accept it.”
Frown lines creasing
his forehead, Pastor Julius leans forward.
“I’m disappointed,
Victoria, that you won’t heed my counsel.”
Victoria nods in
understanding. “I’d rather disappoint
you, Pastor, than disappoint God. My
sense is that He desires that I remain in my marriage. If our Lord leads me otherwise, my spirit
will certainly bear witness.”
Pastor Julius
sighs. “Alright Victoria.”
Victoria gets up to
leave. “Thank you, Pastor Julius, for
meeting with me. I appreciate your
time.”
“You’re certainly
welcome.” He walks her to the door.
Eventually, again, Greg
checks in for a brief stint in the penal system. While confined, he writes loving letters to
Victoria. Contained in his
correspondence are glowing assurances.
Victoria is buoyed
by Greg’s affectionate words and expressed persuasions. She thinks, “Greg has changed. When he returns this time, we’ll have a real
marriage.” She’s happily hopeful.
On a crisp autumn
afternoon, Victoria arrives home from work, retrieves the mail and discovers a
tax refund check addressed to Jessica, the prostitute who tricks for Greg. Victoria closes her eyes as she struggles to
control an eruption of anger that she can barely contain. She thinks, “How could Greg be so cold? He had the nerve to have Jessica’s mail sent
here where we live together as man and wife!”
Victoria’s heartache is pronounced; the weight of Greg’s disregard has
leveled her to a state of despondency.
In desperation, she cries out, “Jesus, help me, please!”
Gently, the Lord
speaks, “I’m here, My beloved. I promise that My love and strength will get
you through this.”
Weakly, Victoria
smiles and whispers, “Thank You, Lord.”
He graciously gives
her a sign.
As she walks inside,
Victoria looks skyward and sees a vividly displayed resplendent rainbow. She remembers that, in the Holy Bible, the
rainbow is a symbol of God’s promise.
She pauses to savor the visual splendor.
A rush of gratitude leaps in her heart.
She blows a kiss to her Lord.
He smiles.
Inside her apartment,
Victoria gets herself settled.
The Lord again
speaks. “Return the check to the IRS with indication that Jessica doesn’t live
here. Then call Jessica to request that
she meet you at your job. Inform her
that you have something for her. She will assume that you’ll give her the
check. I’ll tell you more later.”
Victoria is
comforted by what the Lord has told her to do.
She phones Jessica to make the arrangements.
“Hello,” squeaky-voiced
Jessica answers.
“Hi Jessica, this is
Victoria, Greg’s wife. I have something
for you. Can you come to my job tomorrow
to pick it up?”
In anticipation of
her refund check, Jessica eagerly responds, “Sure, what is it?”
“I believe you know,
Jessica. Meet me in the front of my
building at noon.” She gives Jessica the
location.
“Okay, I’ll be
there.” Jessica verifies the address.
When the two meet,
they visually evaluate one another.
Jessica’s countenance
reveals the weariness that dominates her identity. Her vacant eyes land on Victoria.
The empty gaze
doesn’t escape Victoria.
Jessica’s over-sized
shirt swallows her bony frame. She
tosses her limp unkempt hair and eagerly anticipates receipt of her refund
check.
Victoria is startled
by Jessica’s appearance. She wonders,
“What in the world is the matter with this woman? What is Greg thinking?”
Jessica doesn’t
manage to disguise her profound envy as she observes Victoria’s impeccable
appearance. Her voice barely above a
whisper, Jessica says, “Hi.”
“Hi,” Victoria
curtly replies.
Victoria feels a
measure of pity for Jessica. Calmly,
Victoria says, “I returned your check to the IRS because you don’t live at our
address.”
Jessica’s eyes drop;
she audibly exhales as she digests her disappointment.
As earlier
instructed by the Lord, Victoria hands Jessica the love letters that were
written by Greg. She gently says, “I
don’t know what he’s been telling you, but this is what he’s been telling me.”
Jessica, visibly dejected,
looks down at the letters in her hand, says nothing, and walks away.
Victoria says a
silent prayer for her.
Soon Greg re-enters
society, and returns to his indecent activities.
It’s a sunny
Saturday afternoon. Victoria is uptown
on 14th Street when she sees Greg’s parked car and him seated in the
driver’s seat with Tracy, his lover, seated in the front passenger seat.
As Victoria
approaches, Tracy and Greg look at one another.
Greg mutters, “Some mess is about to hit the fan.”
Greg mutters, “Some mess is about to hit the fan.”
“Humph,” responds
Tracy. She rolls her eyes and begins to
stroke the back of her short cut hair.
She has no shame that she and Greg are lovers.
The presence of
Tracy stabs at Victoria’s heart. She
foolishly relies on her matrimonial status to give her advantage. She mistakenly believes that her presence
will cause Tracy to leave.
Tracy has no such
inclination; she stays.
Victoria thinks,
“The nerve of her!”
Greg adds to the
insult. He refuses to tell Tracy to get
out of the car, and she makes no moves to relinquish her illegitimate perch.
The women look at
one another in “ice” formation - neither says a word.
Immensely wounded
and exasperated, Victoria says to Greg, “Will you take me downtown?”
Greg isn’t
inclined. He reluctantly nods. “Get in the back seat.”
Astonished, Victoria
looks wide-eyed at Greg. She angrily
retorts, “You have really lost your mind!
You are straight up tripping!”
Victoria strongly declares, “I’m not getting in the back seat.”
Greg holds steadfast
to his insulting disrespectful stance against his furious wife. He glares.
“You heard what I said,” he bellows.
Victoria firmly
stands her ground, and angrily repeats, “I’m not getting in the back
seat!” She will not ride in the back
seat of her husband’s car!
Tracy refuses to get
out of the car.
The trio is at an
impasse.
What does the fool Greg
do? He gets out of the car and tells
Victoria, “You drive.” He tosses the
keys in the front seat.
Victoria pauses as
she absorbs the reality that Greg has allowed this messy situation.
The entire time,
Tracy hasn’t uttered a word. She speaks
volumes, though, by her refusal to vacate the ride.
Victoria shakes her
head and rolls her eyes. With
resignation, she decides to drive.
Greg gets in the
back seat.
Off they ride -
Is this a Kodak
moment, or what?
Day after day, Greg
continues his abusive conduct.
The marital discord
becomes too much for Victoria. She has
an emotional breakdown, enters Haven Heights Hospital Center, and is assigned
to the psych ward. She’s processed and
provided a room that she shares with an elderly woman.
Despite her fragile
condition, Victoria knows in her spirit, that she needs to be in the hospital
but that she isn’t to be brought under the power of the staff there. Nightly, the hospital personnel give pills to
Victoria, which, in their presence, she puts in her mouth but never
swallows. Her entire stay there,
Victoria disposes of all the medication that she’s administered. She understands that she’s emotionally
fragile but she trusts God to heal her wounded heart.
Victoria receives
visits from her family and friends.
The hospital staff
believes that religion is responsible for Victoria’s frail emotional condition.
One of her Christian
friends, Linda, is forbidden by hospital personnel to bring in her Bible.
Sternly, a staff person
states, “You can’t bring that Bible in here.”
Victoria and Linda
are unpleasantly surprised by the order but they don’t pursue the matter further.
Linda leaves to go
put her Bible in her car.
Dr. Juan Pedro is
the physician assigned to Victoria. His
official diagnosis for her is “acute psychotic setback.”
Pony-tailed Dr. Pedro regularly turns heads as he confidently strides the corridors on his rounds. Casual attire is his signature style finished off with brown leather flopping sandals that announce his arrivals. Dr. Pedro’s Mexican accent gets more pronounced when he’s excited. He’s a delightful character with a relaxed demeanor that pleases those with whom he engages.
Pony-tailed Dr. Pedro regularly turns heads as he confidently strides the corridors on his rounds. Casual attire is his signature style finished off with brown leather flopping sandals that announce his arrivals. Dr. Pedro’s Mexican accent gets more pronounced when he’s excited. He’s a delightful character with a relaxed demeanor that pleases those with whom he engages.
Victoria likes Dr.
Pedro, though she isn’t accustomed to a doctor with such an unconventional
style.
It isn’t long before
Victoria closely connects with two patients, Arthur, a police officer, and
Trey, a postal service employee. Victoria
finds Arthur’s lively personality quite appealing. Trey is more laid back but a delightful presence. Together with Victoria, they are the resident
psych ward “rebels.”
For the most part,
the trio isn’t feeling the prescribed treatment activities. This day, they, with other patients, attend a
therapy session.
The therapist
announces, “You’re going to toss these balls.”
She distributes several green foam balls.
Some patients
proceed to toss them back and forth to one another.
Victoria frowns and
vocally deems the activity silly and meaningless. She declares, “There’s nothing constructive
about tossing around foam balls. I’m not
going to do it.”
Trey’s dazzling eyes
land on Victoria.
“Neither are we,” Trey
states with firmness speaking for him and Arthur.
In agreement, Arthur
stands towering over Trey and Victoria; he strides over to open the door.
In unison, the trio
walks out of the session.
Arthur has a large
presence but his personality invites interest and easily engages. He jovially exclaims to Victoria and Trey,
“Give me five!”
They all laugh and
high five each other.
The next day, Trey
comes to Victoria’s room. “Are you
coming out?” he asks.
Victoria must admit
that she likes laying eyes on Trey’s handsome features. It’s a like, though, that’s innocent in
admiration. “Yes, I’ll be out.”
They join Arthur and
some other patients in the community area.
One patient, Millie,
a young attractive Caucasian woman, is so traumatized by something that her
posture is such that her neck stays tilted to one side as if it’s stuck to her
shoulder. Millie looks, and is terribly
unhappy. She doesn’t smile. She keeps her hair confined in a tight bun,
and walks with an insecure gait. Millie
does have family visits but she stays in her assigned room and doesn’t engage
with the other patients.
One day Dr. Pedro
says to Victoria about Millie, “Let her alone.
There’s no hope for her.”
Victoria is stunned
to hear such words expressed by a doctor.
“I believe that
there is hope,” Victoria confidently remarks to Dr. Pedro.
Dr. Pedro maintains
his doubt. He shrugs and shakes his
head.
Victoria is
undaunted in her faith about Millie.
Victoria thinks, “Jesus specializes in the hopeless.” She begins once a day every day visits to
Millie’s room. Daily, with confidence,
Victoria knocks on Millie’s door.
Cheerfully, she asks Millie, “Are you coming out today?”
Millie stares
blankly and shakes her head no.
Victoria smiles,
leaves, and thinks, “I’ll go back tomorrow.”
She firmly believes that Jesus will alter Millie’s disposition.
After several daily
visits, and invitations from Victoria, Millie comes out of the room with her
neck erect! Her red curly hair cascades
in glistening glory. With pep in her
steps, she widely smiles as she joins the patients who are gathered in the
community area, Victoria, Trey and Arthur among them.
Victoria glows at
the transformation of Millie. She gives
a thumbs up. “You go, girl!”
Millie grins broadly
as she sits next to Victoria.
The others are
pleasantly surprised to see Millie.
Trey heartily asks,
“What’s up, sister girl?”
Eyes twinkling, she
answers, “You tell me.”
Other patients
approach and talk with Millie. They all
make her feel welcome.
The group parties to
the music that plays from Trey’s boom box.
Lon, the preacher’s
son, boogies. Comically, he says, “Don’t
tell my dad that I’ve been dancing.”
They all laugh
robustly.
Mid-morning, the
next day, a counselor, Ruth, meets with Victoria to discuss her case. She warns, “Greg is bad for you. For the sake of your peace of mind, you need
to leave him.”
Resolute, Victoria
says, “I understand that you mean well, Ruth, but what I do about Greg isn’t
your call. I trust God to show me what
to do about my marriage. Right now, I’m
not led to leave my husband.”
Frowning, Ruth
objects. “The relationship is damaging
and unhealthy for you.”
Victoria’s eyes
narrow. “Ruth, you’re treading on turf
that is out of bounds for you. I won’t
allow you to convince me to leave my husband.
That’s it and that’s all.”
Ruth gets the
message. She wisely puts the brakes on
any further mention about the matter.
It’s a new day.
Victoria, Trey and
Arthur attend a therapy session.
One of the
patient’s, Eddie, gets disturbed about something. He abruptly leaves the room.
Victoria urges the
counselor, “Go get him to return.”
The counselor
refuses. Her chilly response is “He’s
not going to come back in here.”
Disapprovingly,
Victoria eyes the counselor. She wonders
about her attitude of insensitivity.
Victoria leaves the session to seek Eddie.
He’s nearby in the
hallway.
“Eddie, please come
back in the session.”
Arms folded, he
resists, “Nah.”
“Come on, Eddie,
please.
He unfolds his
arms. He’s affected by Victoria’s care
and concern.
She persuades him to
return to the session.
“Okay, Victoria,
I’ll do it for you.”
She smiles. “For us, Eddie.”
He flashes a big
grin as he leads the way back into the session.
The other patients
are glad to see that Eddie has rejoined them.
The counselor looks
none too pleased that Victoria succeeded in persuading him to return with her.
Victoria discerns
that the counselor’s ego is wounded. She
thinks, “Helping Eddie is bigger than any concerns about ego tripping.” Victoria makes a mental note, though, to pray
for the counselor.
The day has arrived
for Trey to be discharged.
It’s more than a
small challenge for Victoria to say good-bye to him. Truly, he has added richness and zest to her
life.
“Man, it’s been a
joy. I’m sure going to miss you, Trey.”
“No question,
Victoria, we’re going to miss each other.
Being around you is delightful.
And we had a blast with our core group.
We’ve got to keep in touch.”
Victoria nods as she
holds back tears.
They chat a bit more
then hug good-bye. Emotional, Victoria
watches as Trey walks out the door.
It has been two
weeks since Victoria checked in Haven Heights.
Not once has Greg come to visit her.
While there, she did speak to him on the phone one day when he selfishly
asked her to call the landlord about a unit related issue. Annoyed by his lack of consideration for her
vulnerable state, Victoria sternly responded to Greg, “You call the
landlord. I’m in the hospital and you’re
telling me to call the landlord?!”
Greg slammed down
the phone.
That pretty much
sums up their communication since Victoria has been hospitalized, largely due
to Greg’s perverse and irresponsible behavior.
Discharge time has
arrived for Victoria. She enjoys one
more party night with her patient friends.
It’s hard to say
good-bye. Sadness is resident within all
of them.
“I’m going to miss y’all,”
sighs Victoria. “Despite our medical issues,
we’ve had some good times here in this psych ward.”
The group chuckles.
As Victoria
continues about how bonds were formed, her buddies smile and nod in agreement.
Arthur chimes in,
“Yeah, Victoria, we bonded and much enjoyed our unity. We have some special memories to
cherish. That’s for sure, lady!”
Victoria gives Arthur
a high five. “You’ve got that right,
brother, you’ve got that right.”
Victoria’s eyes
fasten on Millie. As tears surface in
both their eyes, the two women warmly embrace.
They squeeze hands as they silently communicate their treasured
sentiments.
The others,
understanding, look on.
Tears fall from
Millie’s eyes. “Thank you for loving on
me, Victoria. I’ll never forget your
care and your refusal to allow me to wallow in my pain. No, I’ll never forget, Victoria, that’s for
sure.”
“You’re certainly
welcome, Millie. It was my
pleasure. God sent me to persuade you to
recognize that you’re a cherished treasure.
He assured me that your beauty would surface, and it did. Your transformation is a thrill, Millie.”
“Yeah, Millie, it
sure is,” exclaims Lon, the preacher’s son.
“My hope and faith have reached new levels because I’ve witnessed your
transformation. I’m deeply affected by
how God changed you.”
In earnest, Victoria
and the others nod in agreement.
Millie beams.
Victoria waves as
she exits to resume her solid journey.
Emotionally,
Victoria is much better but her condition is still fragile.
Her sister, Violet,
and her sister’s boyfriend, Ed, drive Victoria home. When she arrives, Greg isn’t there. Victoria turns on the tub water to prepare to
enjoy a warm bath. In the tub, she finds
a long strand of blond hair. Indignation
rises in her spirit. The deal breaker
has arrived. Victoria still loves Greg
but his accumulated abuses have added up to - ENOUGH! The marriage is over.
The Lord speaks, “I give you release and victory in
Jesus. It’s time for you to leave
Greg. You’re free to divorce him.”
With a grieved
heart, and her arms lifted in gratitude, Victoria expresses, “Thank You, Lord.”
“You’re certainly welcome. I know that you love Greg but you’ve
tolerated as much as you can bear. I’ve
called you to peace.”
Victoria gains a new
wave of strength. She gets the door
locks changed and phones to inform Greg that she’s through with the
marriage. “I’m done, Greg. We’re headed for divorce. Year after year, I’ve put up with your abuse
and selfishness - I’m done.” Victoria
tells him that he needs to call before he comes because the locks have been
changed.
Victoria’s comments
are met with silence until Greg can absorb her life-altering news. He unsuccessfully proceeds to change
Victoria’s mind.
“You’re
overreacting, Victoria. Chill - you’re
making too much of this.”
Victoria rolls her
eyes. “No, Greg, my decision makes sense
and I’m not changing my mind.”
“You know I love
you, woman.”
“Yeah, right. Bye, Greg.”
Victoria hangs up.
In a stunned state, Greg
stands there and holds the phone. He
cannot believe the resolve that Victoria displayed. He trembles as he grasps the realization that
Victoria is finished with him. It has
dawned on Greg, too late, that Victoria is a jewel that he never appreciated - until
now. Depression overtakes him.
Victoria is
adamant. The knot is untied. This lady is loosed. The divorce shall come to pass.
Epilogue -
Victoria obtains the
divorce and moves on to gain a healed heart and a renewed hope for her future.
Copyright 2013
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Note: To view this entire blog, please click this link www.loveasasignaturestyle.blogspot.com
Copyright 2013
###
Note: To view this entire blog, please click this link www.loveasasignaturestyle.blogspot.com
