Trigger warning! This piece houses several stories of abuse from survivors, it is written in the first person as a composite character narrative.
abuser: \”what the hell is that?\”
victim: \”it\’s my new suit — do you like it?
i purchased it from sirens last week
i simply relish the feel of the fabric
and how it fits.\”
abuser: \”it makes you look like you work in a laboratory
as a tech assistant!\”
victim: \”no! it doesn\’t — sirens is a contemporary
store. and i bought these shoes too.\”
abuser: \”those are so f*cking ugly! why would you
purchase shoes with that large a belt
buckle on them? you look like a quaker
that just walked off the mayflower. instead
of it being on your hat it\’s on your footwear.\”
victim: \”i thought they were whimsical with the slight
platform heel.\”
abuser violently grabs the victim and rips the brand new
suit off of her body and feet, leaving her only in a bra,
lady boxers, and fuzzy purple socks on the cold tile
marble floor. as he proceeds to throw the new outfit
and accessories into oncoming traffic. silent whimpers
exit the victim.
abuser: \”i never want you to ever purchase anything
like that ever again or you will be met with
the same fate as your clothes. you see all
the cars about there? they are driving over
your new ugly a** outfit.\”
CCIQ Press 