Ms. Karen said that she was sorry and left.
The next morning she again went to the Kindergarten. She bought a teddy bear and cut it in the front. Then put a video camera inside it and sewed it again. She was doing this and that time she saw Lily coming for who she was waiting.
The sweet little girl came to her and presented her a beautiful smile. Ms. Karen gave the teddy to her and said that she might like her present. She said that the bear was magic and it would keep her and her mom safe. Lily exclaimed with joy and asked how it worked. Ms. Karen said that it was quite simple. She asked her just to carry him around all the time so the bear could see her and her mom. Lily was over the moon and said thanks to her teacher.
Lily then went to play with the kids and Ms. Karen looked at her departure.
It was night. Lily was playing with the teddy in her room and her mom was making dinner. Just before a while her daddy had come home and was sitting on the couch now. Lily thought she should show her dad what she had got.
Soon she took the teddy and went to her dad. She tried to draw his attention and asked him to look at what she had got. She again said that she had got a new toy. Her dad didn't show any interest with that. Then she said that Ms. Karen had given it to her. This time her dad got angry and asked to repeat that. Little Lily again said that Ms. Karen from Kindergarten had given her that toy.
He snatched the teddy and told her to give it to him. He told her that she should not dare to take anything else form her. He asked her if she had heard him. Then he coldly told her to go to her room and think about her behavior. She was so scared and didn't stay there any longer.
Her dad then took the teddy and was putting it on the almirah. Her mom saw all the things. She asked him to wait and hear her for a while. She suggested him that he should be easy on Lily as she was just a kid and was seeing her parents always fighting. Mr. Powers turned to her and ordered her to shut her mouth or if she want him to teach her a lesson again. Mrs. Powers said that she just didn't want Lily to see them fighting again.
Lily came out of the room and saw them fighting. Then she slowly went to the almirah and took her bear. As her miss said, she showed the bear everything. Her mom said that the people were starting to think badly of them and tried to stop her dad. But he got colder at this and asked if that how she talked then.
He asked her if she was ashamed of him. He told her that she was embarrassed that her husband was a strong man. Mrs. Powers was so scared and became speechless. She knew whatever she said, would go wrong. Mr. Power told her that he was paying for all; her clothes, her damn girl's toys. But that was not enough to shut her mouth as she kept complaining to everyone around.
Then he noticed tears on her wife's face. He was wiping away the tears and coldly asked if she was afraid of him, of her own husband. Then suddenly he hurt on her face and said that she should be afraid of him and she had to keep quiet about what was going on inside their family otherwise, he would make her stop talking forever.
That time he noticed Lily standing with the teddy. He angrily told her to come there and he would shoe her what it meant to disobey her father. He was about to beat his daughter but Mrs. Powers stopped him. She forbade him to touch Lily and then he replied that she would be next in the beating line. He stepped forward to his wife and said that they all were going to have so much fun that night. When he was doing all of this, Lily came closer to them and showed the bear everything.
It was the next night. Mr. Powers was sitting in the office of the police. He was about to be charged for abusing family. He was with his own lawyer there and in front of him the police officer was sitting.
Mr. Powers was continuously threating the officer. He said to him that he had got nothing on him there as the accusations were just silly. The officer said nothing and then he turned to his lawyer. He asked him if he could believe that he was a tyrant who abused his wife. The lawyer laughed and said that it was ridiculous. He added that his client had the purest reputation for being a great family man and a law-abiding citizen. The officer was confused as he didn't get the proof yet. But could not let him to go.
The lawyer again said that any of the employee of his corporation would confirm that. The confused officer said that they would get to the bottom of that and if that was a mistake, he would be out in a minute.
Mr. Power smiled and asked the officer if he knew his name. He said that he had the power to open a lot of doors and also had the power to close them for people who try to ruin his life. He said that one call to the district attorney and it would be enough for the officer to be destroyed.
The lawyer also could not wait too much. He said that the clock was ticking and it was time to charge his client or it was going to be the officer that got charged and the lawyer promised him that. The officer was running out of time and was in weird situation.
And then another police man came to the officer and showed him a laptop. He said that that camera recorded everything and it was in the laptop. Mr. Powers was still cold and asked so what. He again threatened the officer saying if he should call the district attorney already or the district judge. Then he asked himself why he would even call as he had lunch with both of them the next day.
The officer was confused but didn't have it after watching the video. He showed it to Mr. Powers and asked him to say about that. Though it was clearly be seen that it was Mr. Powers in the video footage, he continuously was denying that. He said that they set him up there.
The officer then said in a cold voice, "Mr. Powers, you are charged with domestic violence as well as child abuse. Everything that you say can be used against you and you have the right to remain silent." Mr. Powers showed them his lawyer and said that he would wipe them all out. But the lawyer said that he was sorry and then took the laptop and watched the footage.
While watching the lawyer just said that it was terrible. And then he said that he was not going to defend him. Mr. Powers said that he was s wimp and then he would call another lawyer. He was about to call and the lawyer said that none of the lawyers would take his case and he would take care of that personally. And the officer said that he would make sure so that everyone in the prison knew the way he treated women.
Mrs. powers just reached the police station with Ms. Karen. The teacher asked her how she was doing. And for the first time in years she smiled. She again asked her if she felt free then. Mrs. Powers replied that a big load off her shoulders. Ms. Karen said that she was so glad she could do that.
She continued saying that silence did not make her strong. But fighting for her life did. And there were so many people who were willing to help her. She just needed to raise her voice. And besides, men like him should be in prison. Abuse in the family is the worst crime. Mrs. Powers smiled and thanked Ms. Karen.
That time the arrested Powers was taking to the cell. He could see his wife and begged her to stop them. He said that everything he had done was for love. He laughed her so much and for that he had done so. What a lame excuse she thought. She said that he was pathetic so was every man who treated his wife that way. But she wanted him to learn an important lesson and he didn't own her. She reminded him that women are not anyone's property and so he should get out of her sight. She wished him a nice stay in jail.
Then the policemen took him to the cell. He was begging her, requesting her. He said that he could fix that. He also said that he was just sick and it was a disease. But his ex wife did hardly care.
That time another policeman took her daughter. She smiled to them and thanked too. Lily told her mom that a policeman had said that when she would grow up, she could protect people too. Her mom, Sarah smiled and said that of course she could. And she added that one day her daughter would be an independent and strong woman. But for then she suggested her daughter to have some ice cream. Lily was so happy and agreed.
Sarah was feeling free for the first time in her wedding life. She had filed for divorce and got a vast property that would be far enough for her daughter. She and her daughter were enjoying how it felt to be free.
Remember this, abusers never change. So, raise your voice and move forward.
The end
