Abalone Quotes

“As the bus pulled away from the curb, James raised his hand in a small wave; he was still standing there when we reached the end of the street, like a beacon on a lighthouse warning tall ships to be careful in the fog.”
― J.G. MacLeod, Abalone

“My depression surrounds me like an infant suffocating in a plastic bag, each gasp a reminder of a parent’s neglect.  What a joke it is when people say, “talk about it – it will make you feel better” for when I even think about it I lie frozen like the frigid pond outside my window – hard and cold on the outside,”
― J.G. MacLeod, Abalone: One woman's courageous journey through abuse & healing

“I had come down on the same arm that James had grabbed in the car and it throbbed. I pulled off my sweater to look at it in the mirror and winced when I noticed finger marks on my forearm and a large purple bruise already forming on my elbow; I could only imagine what it would look like tomorrow when it really started to turn colour.”
― J.G. MacLeod, Abalone

“They were just being friendly," I said more softly, reaching out to touch James on the arm. I suddenly found myself lying on my side on the floor and realized in shock that James had shoved me - hard. He was looking down at me, his teeth gritted and his eyes flashing.”
― J.G. MacLeod, Abalone

“I know," I said, "but there's something about James that draws me in. I can't explain it." I shrugged my shoulders.
"Well, I can," Jan said with frustration, "it's called abuse."
I was shocked. "What?" I managed to say.
"You heard me," Jan replied. "James controls everything you do. He says jump and you ask how high.”
― J.G. MacLeod, Abalone