The Life She Was Given

by Ellen Marie Wiseman

But oh, how the flame of Momma’s lantern had burned! “Spare the rod and spoil the child,” Momma said.

Geez

“You ungrateful spawn of the devil!” Momma yelled. “How many times have I told you not to question me?”

Jesus

Then, when Julia turned twelve, Mother explained her husband’s alcoholism and said it was Julia’s fault for being such a difficult child.

Wtf you sold her sister

And she’d never let anyone blame her for anything again.

Good

When she got out of work ten hours from now, Spam on white bread would be her and Tom’s supper, like it had been every night for the past four days.

She felt weak and wobbly, like she did when Momma forgot to feed her.

Omg

“Her husband found her tied to the church steps with her face shaved and her throat slit.”

Wtf

When he surprised her with Abby the kitten one year, she was so happy she reached out to hug him, but he drew away.

Oh

Then, when I got older, Merrick gave me these tattoos and let me work for him in the sideshow. That’s when I asked him to help my brother, who my parents had sent to a horrible place.

It was a Victorian, neo-Gothic four-story, with mullioned windows, attic dormers, three chimneys, and a steep mansard roof.

Four stories and her stuck to an attic

Another boy joined in, laughing as he reached down to get more mud. But instead of mud, he picked up the dog poop and threw it at Lilly.

Wtf

So this is what it felt like to be hugged by another person. And maybe, just maybe, this was what it felt like to be loved.

Awww