Wedowee, Alabama
Congratulations Gerry!
Gerry’s Bio:
Gerry L. Cofield’s love of stories and books started on the knee of her Paw-paw, the ultimate story-teller, when she could barely talk. She has won several contests, been published in trade magazines and The Magnolia Quarterly, and writes a weekly column for the local newspaper about the animal shelter where she volunteers (www.randolphshelter.org). She has enjoyed several classes from Gotham Writers’ Workshop, Writing It Real with Sheila Bender, and currently from The Write Helper.
Gerry’s degree is in Child and Family Development and she spent 12 years working with young children and families. Two years ago she moved to Woodland, Alabama to operate the family business of manufacturing church steeples (yes, really). Her experience working in a domestic violence shelter prompted this submission to the WOW flash fiction contest. She finds that the rural South is a constant source of interesting and unusual characters and hopes to work her way into writing a book within the next few years if she can just narrow it down to one topic. She enjoys traveling, baking, gardening, hiking, and volunteering for the animal shelter and a charity dedicated to serving those who have experienced tragedy (www.willsway.org). She lives with Shadow the mostly-Lab, Buddy the St. Bernarder Collie, and Luckie the German Chowbrador (don’t look for these breeds on the AKC list), as well as a fuzzy cat named Samson who snores.
She is grateful to be included amongst such talented and spirited women writers and welcomes correspondence from you at glcofield[at]Hughes[dot]net!
Questions to a Friend
How did you end up in this situation? How long was he “charming” before things changed? Did you think it would only happen that once? When did you realize it was going to keep happening? Why did you let it continue?
What was it that was so bad about his childhood? Don’t you think that’s just an excuse?
Did he use the Bible to keep you in line? Remind you of “love, honor, obey”? “Till death do us part”? Does he tell you God says you have to forgive him? Can’t you see his manipulation?
How can you love him? Do you think he loves you? Do you know what real love looks like?
How many times did he say he was sorry that first time? Every time after that? How many gifts has he given you, I mean besides the broken ribs and black eyes? Do you know that no one believes you’re that clumsy?
Are you aware it isn’t a secret what happens at your house? Do you know you cringe when he walks into a room? Can you feel your body, your eyes, your demeanor change? Why do you let him talk to you like that? Do you know it makes us sick? Why do you defend him? Why should you have to help him? Can you see that we all hate him?
Do you miss your friends? Do you remember how much fun we used to have, girl’s night out? Remember how carefree you were? Do you miss your freedom? Do you miss your security? Your peace of mind? Are you afraid? Can you sleep at night?
Don’t you love your daughter? Do you think she doesn’t see this? That she can’t hear it? That it doesn’t hurt her? Do you think he loves her? Does he hit her? Yell at her? Threaten her? Does she feel like she has to defend you? Is this the kind of relationship you want for her? Do you want her to live in fear? Do you tell her not to tell? Do you tell her that he really loves you? Do you tell her he loves her? Is this what you want her to think love is?
Do you like to be hurt? Is this what you secretly want? Do you think you deserve it? Are you afraid to leave? Do you think he’ll kill you? Are you comfortable in your circumstances? Do you think no one else wants you? Are you afraid to be alone?
How long since your life was like mine? How easy was it to cross over? Did it start with angry words? Did he blame you for everything? Accuse you of cheating? Did he change? Did you? How easy was it to let it go the first few times? How long are we with someone before we can’t see ourselves without them? How long before you give up? How long until he kills your body just like he has your soul?
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