Lend a helping hand

Amanda's husband mistreated her and their daughter. He always insisted them to do as he said and if they missed any of them he became a monster. Amanda tried to put up with it, but she could not watch her little girl suffer. Her daughter asked her why her dad didn't love them. But she had no answer. She could not tolerate it more and so soon made a decision. One afternoon she went to her husband to inform him that she was filing for a divorce.

Hearing it, her husband became shocked at first. But then told Amanda that she was making a terrible mistake. But Amanda knew what she was doing. She clearly told him that Emily and she didn't need a father and husband like him. So, he packed up and threatened her that she would regret that.

Amanda sued her husband for child support. Her lawyer heard everything and assured her that it was going to be easy for them to win in court. He forbade her to worry. And yes her lawyer was right, the court ruled in their favor. They announced that the defendant was obligated to pay child support until the child comes of age. It was obvious that he was not happy with the result. But it was good for Amanda and her daughter.

She called him the day when the first payment was due. He replied that she would get her child support. He also came that afternoon. Amanda was shocked by what he did. He was carrying a sack and she asked him about it. He replied that it was what she wanted. He brought a bag of coins and dumped them all over their yard. He told them to enjoy those pathetic coins and left immediately. But Amanda had no idea how he could do something like that to humiliate them. However, she and Emily were picking them up and keeping them in the bag.

One of her neighbors was passing and saw them dealing with that unusual thing . So, she decided to volunteer them. After hearing all, she could not but commented that her ex-husband was a disgrace. When all the coin was picked up, she thought what to do with them as she didn't want to accept such help from him. And then she got an idea. She went to the domestic abuse fundraisers and said that she wanted to make a donation.

It was a charity helping those who suffered from domestic abuse like her daughter and she did. Every time her ex-husband paid child support, she donated it to the non-profit organization, and then she also started going there to share her experience with other women. And that's where she met Selena. She was in a complicated relationship and was going there to figure it out. One day she asked Amanda how she worked up the courage to leave. She was afraid that she could not do it. Amanda replied that she had to understand, he didn't deserve to be with her and she could do so much better. She added that leaving was not so scary.

They became close friends and she had often come to Amanda's place. Selena adored Emily and presented gifts to her. One day she was at their place and stayed late when someone called her. She was visibly shaken. She exclaimed in fear and said that her husband would be mad again. Amanda was going to say something but she was shocked when she saw the picture of the caller. It was non-other than her ex-husband. She asked Selena if that was her husband.

Selena was just as surprised as Amanda was. She told Amanda that she could not believe it. She asked her how long they had been together. She replied that it was about one year.

The truth that came to light helped her make a decision. Selena was looking happy and told Amanda that on top of everything else, he had been lying to both of them, and now it was over. She thanked Amanda as she had known what she should do.

Finally, Selena left him and started living happily like Amanda and her daughter. And having gone through all that, Amanda found her calling: counseling women in similar situations and lending them a helping hand. A helping hand that we all need.