Beyond Closed Doors by Sue DeCrescenzo Part I - Before What do you mean, you’ve had enough, Jill’s father, Frank, screamed? Her Mother, Mary Beth, cringed as he walked into the kitchen. Frank shouted, I work ten hours a day, expect dinner on the table and a clean house. Why can’t you do that? Mary Beth hadn’t been feeling good. The cancer was getting worse. Jill and her brother, Jimmie, tried to help, but Mary Beth refused. She let them play; then fed them dinner.
And Jill couldn’t stand to listen to her Mother plead for her life. Jill told her brother, stay in the closet, hide under the blanket and don’t let anyone in until I come back. Jill hugged Jimmie; then she slipped onto the top of the stairs.
Tonight, Frank sounded meaner and drunker. Mary Beth heard from one of the neighbors there maybe layoffs. She signaled Jill to take her brother upstairs and hide in the closet.
Frank, said to Mary Beth, “Oh, you’re useless. I think, I’m going to have me some fun tonight. I’ve seen the way our daughter is growing up.”
For Jill, this scene played out every Friday night for most of her life–13 long years. At first her parents seemed happy. Frank lost his job; found another, but the pay and the work never satisfied him. Frank stopped at the local bar on Fridays. He drank to feel better. When he got home, he beat Mary Beth to make himself feel in control. Today Frank was worse than usual.
Jill heard their Mother shout, if you touch Jill, I’ll kill you. Mary Beth pulled a pistol from her apron pocket. She vowed enough was enough. Frank said, Christ, where did you get that gun? Jill crawled downstairs and into the kitchen. Her mother cowered in the corner, bruised and bleeding, but in her hand, she held a gun. Frank laughed; then slapped the pistol out of Mary Beth’s hand. Jill knew that if she didn’t get the gun, her Mother would be next. Her Dad blocked the gun laying on the floor.
Jill tried to make a game out of hiding in the closet. Jimmie, six years younger, didn’t know any different. They had a flashlight, books to read, snacks and a blanket. In between the shouting and the crying coming from downstairs, they finished their homework. Afterwards, Jill would hold Jimmie until he fell asleep.
Jill shouted, Dad, leave her alone! Frank looked up and laughed. Well look who it is, Daddy’s little girl. Frank did a suggestive “dance”.
Mary Beth could fight Frank off until she got him to eat or he passed out or both. The next day, Mary Beth would tell the neighbors that she fell; her way of explaining the bruises. Tonight, Frank was unrelenting. Mary Beth begged him to stop. She couldn’t muffle her screams.
Jill could see the new fear in her Mother’s eyes. Mary Beth lunged for the stove and with all the strength she had left, she tossed a hot pot of soup at Frank. The hot liquid splashed on Frank, and fueled a new rage. Frank punched Mary Beth again. - 38 -
