The Dawn of a New Day

 
Today she was tired of being afraid.

His violence has erupted, again.

His gun fire in the basement has stilled.

Footsteps. Footsteps.

The pans in the kitchen are rattling.

She's hiding in the bedroom. Listening, Waiting. Barely breathing.

Footsteps getting closer.

He approaches, frypan in hand, the odor of alcohol strong.

She backs towards the corner. Looking him in the eye.

Those red, glazed, angry eyes.

The eyes of someone who used to love her, now different.

The long forgotten vows of marriage.

He swings the pan at her head.  A dent in the wall.

She backs up just one step. He steps forward.

He swings the pan at her head. A second dent in the wall. So she will remember.

She backs up. He steps forward.

Another swing. Another miss. A third dent in the wall.

She thinks, "I just have to step forward. One step forward. This will be over"

But she does not step forward. She cannot step backward.

She looks him in the eye. He turns and leaves laughing.

Today she lost her fear.

Today her feet gained strength.

Today is a new day.