31 Comments
author

I’d been thinking about someone I knew to whom this happened. Or a very close version of it anyway.

A funny, vivacious woman, turned into a shell by this horrible man who turned out to have his own severe mental health problems.

And then. I started thinking of other women I’d known. More lovely women damaged by partners they had.

Doesn’t just happen to women by the way. I know that.

But that’s only part of the story, isn’t it?

It’s too simplistic to make an empath v narcissist narrative modern life is so fond of. Many emotional abusers do so because of the dark they themselves hold and can’t bear so they unleash it upon others.

Stories within stories, always.

The ‘blind’ thing is actually from my own house! I have this problem in my home. And from a writing point of view I liked the idea of the dual meaning of the word ‘blind’ and how the character in the story was herself blind to her own suffering.

Hope you liked it anyway.

Expand full comment

The ppl who previously owned my house had this blind problem so they bricked the window up, lol, only one in a street of identical houses! Kinda sensational

Expand full comment

Loved it x

Expand full comment
author

Thanks. This actually happened to my friend. But of course every woman at some point in her life has known an ‘Andrew’…..

Expand full comment

True. Another resonant piece Julie. You are a gifted writer.

Expand full comment
author

Thank you lovely x

Expand full comment

Indeed x

Expand full comment

I haven't

Terribly sheltered life

Don't do bf's or ppl

Good with empty landscapes full of pebbles however 💯

Expand full comment
author

Good for you x

Expand full comment

Couldn't stop reading this.

Fantastic short story writing. X

Expand full comment
author

Aww thank you.

I posted it in the middle of the night. What a stupid time to post it😂

But I’d just finished it and wanted to get it out there and it seemed the right time because it was dark matter and the world outside was dark.

Expand full comment

Super writing Julie. Poetic. You should try and get this stuff published.

My auntie married a guy like this. I always remember him wearing grey. That was the colour of the atmosphere whenever he walked in... grey. He sucked the life out of everything. Used to make my poor little cousin wet herself whenever he shouted. He left one day and took his debts with him. Good riddance. My cousin found him when she was an adult and discovered she had two half sisters. Then they started asking her for money. And that was that. Realised her life was better with just one amazing sunny mum and without a grey dad ☹️

Expand full comment
author

Oh bless.

Yes many of the bastards about sadly.

Controlling, manipulative behaviour.

And I’m sure there are plenty of female versions, didn’t want to make it a manhate post!

Hope your cousin is doing well now :)

Expand full comment

Woof! I liked it, but wow! Glad I read it in the glaring light of day. I think we have all known people like that.

Expand full comment
author

Yes, thankfully I believe she is happy now in a good relationship.

Expand full comment

Gripping, dark and very powerful tale. It definitely presents a more realistic slant on these matters x

Expand full comment
author

I think traditionally, emotional abuse in relationships is less documented than say domestic violence or rape but it’s just as harrowing and damaging.

Expand full comment
founding

F me. That was a powerful read. Tales of the Unexpected vibe. I saw the end coming but only made it more tense.

Expand full comment
author

Thank you.

It’s rare I write anything like that as you know. Most of my dark comes out as poetry.

I started writing it yesterday eve then had the urge to finish it staying up til early hours to post it. Felt weirdly right to post in the wee small hours!

I suppose it’s more disturbing for me, because I know it’s true. I mean I condensed some of it slightly but certainly the emotional abuse, dog bothering and hanging took place.

Expand full comment

Beautiful writing, Julie. A very powerful tale. Thank you x

Expand full comment
author

Thank you lovely. Glad you appreciated x

Expand full comment

Goosebumps reading that. Xx

Expand full comment
author

Aww ta.

Glad it made you feel something (that sounds weird but you know what I mean I think 😂)

Expand full comment

😂😂😂😂😂💕 xx

Expand full comment

Dark x

Expand full comment
author

I’m coming out of a very dark stage and rarely write stuff like this but just fancied a change.

Expand full comment

That was really compelling. A compassionate twist. Terribly sad how the damaged human can react by damaging others.

Expand full comment

Frightfully jolly! Really laughed + very well penned + do some more !! 😀

Expand full comment
author

An interesting take.

Expand full comment
Comment deleted
October 10, 2023
Comment deleted
Expand full comment
author

💔❤️

Expand full comment
Comment deleted
October 10, 2023
Comment deleted
Expand full comment
author

Aww ta. That one just came as if someone was talking to me, I was crying too x

Expand full comment