thing. Do you want me to tell him to talk to you?”
“No. Don’t say anything. Report to me as soon as you find out anything more. I want to know all about the woman he married and what they’re doing. Be sure he understands you’re still his contact.”
“Gotcha. Ring you later.”
Sharon happily made a home for Jeremy while learning how to cook and sew. She hoped that Jeremy would change his mind about having children. I would love to start a family, and I bet Jeremy would love a child of his own.
Gradually Sharon began to notice abrupt mood changes in Jeremy; his sulking and his hurtful words to her. Although her heart was heavy, pride, self-respect and loyalty to her husband, helped her to hide her feeling from others behind a brave smile.
On Sharon’s twentieth birthday, some of the women took her out to dinner and gave her gifts. Linda Pallister had planned the evening. Although she was nine years older than Sharon, they had become close friends. Linda and Philip often took short trips with Jeremy and Sharon and ate out together as often as possible.
Jeremy was disturbed that Sharon was out with the women and he could not hear their conversations. When Sharon came home, she was shocked to find him drunk and passed out on the couch. If I wake him, he might be too angry for me to handle. I’ll just leave him alone and let him sleep it off. I don’t know when he started drinking. He wasn’t raised to indulge. Why is he unhappy? Am I doing something wrong?
Chapter Two
Their first wedding anniversary soon followed, which Jeremy ignored. Sharon’s parents and Malcolm Taylor sent gifts and best wishes. The days came and went, but Jeremy wasn’t seen or heard from for two days. It was late when he staggered in disheveled, smelling of alcohol and cheap perfume. She was hurt and confused when she got the brunt of his unreasonable anger. She had never experienced a male, in her life, being so cruel and unreasonable.
As time passed, Jeremy was seen in town with a variety of questionable women. The military men, who saw him, told their wives, but Sharon didn’t hear of it.
Sharon wrote to both of their parents regularly. Agnes wrote letters only to Jeremy and never acknowledged Sharon. Agnes was angry because Sharon had a more enviable social position. Even though Sharon didn’t seek the spotlight, Agnes was jealous because Sharon was younger and prettier. Too, Sharon was with Agnes’ son, and she wanted him all to herself.
Sharon was careful never to hint at her troubles with Jeremy. Her parents were not suspicious because she always kept her letters and phone calls light and cheerful.
Malcolm Taylor, however, knew his son. He called Sharon every week and asked her questions, as a good attorney would, that made her scramble for answers. He realized that she was being evasive, and it worried him.
After talking to Sharon one day and not getting satisfactory answers, Malcolm leaned back in his chair and placed his feet on his desk. I have a feeling that everything is not roses and light, but I can’t help Sharon if she won’t confide in me. Lord, be with them.
As time passed, Sharon became more tempted to discuss Jeremy’s disturbing behavior with his dad. Her loyalty to her husband kept her quiet as well as her hope and prayers that he would change and be as he was when she first married him.
Gradually, as weeks passed, Sharon became aware that she was actually afraid of Jeremy. One day he would be outgoing and cheerful then, without warning, he became quick tempered and moody. One night he came home sullen and brooding. Sharon, trying to lighten the atmosphere, was caring and loving. She hurried to the door to meet him. “Hello, darling. Did you have a good day?” She smiled reaching to hug him, and realized he smelled of alcohol.
“Why? What d’ya want to know for?” Jeremy yelled, pushing her away. “Are you spying on me?”
“Jeremy! No!” Sharon protested. “I am truly interested in your work. You’re my husband. I love you and am proud of you.”
“You’re meddling in my business. Shut up before your nose gets you into trouble.”
It was out of character for Sharon, but she became impatient with his currish, childish behavior. “At least I stay out of trouble. No one will ever be able to accuse me of not honoring our marriage vows.”
“Are you accusing me?” Jeremy screamed, jumping right in her face.
“I’m not accusing you of anything. Something is very wrong. Won’t you talk to a doctor or go with me to talk to the chaplain?”
“So. You think I’m unfaithful and that everything is my fault. Come here. I’ll give you what you really want.”
Sharon was too stunned to protect herself. Never in her life had she been around a man or woman who acted as Jeremy had been. He slapped her so hard that she fell.
Grabbing her by the hair with one hand, he dug the fingers of the other hand painfully in her upper arm and dragged her into the bedroom.
“Jeremy! You’re hurting me! Please! Stop!” Sharon’s efforts were in vain as she struggled to gain a release from him.
Laughing maniacally Jeremy threw her on the bed and literally tore her clothes off her.
“Please don’t do this, Jeremy,” she sobbed. Pain, both physical and emotional swept over her as he raped her without mercy. He carelessly climbed off her tormented body where she lay in twisted sheets. She didn’t move as he showered and dressed.
“That’s the way women like you want it,” he sneered as he swaggered out of the bedroom and left the house.
As soon as she heard the outer door slam, she gulped for air like a drowning person, realizing that she had been holding her breath against the shock and pain. She then drifted into the blackness that would take her away from the horror of Jeremy’s cruelty.
Waking later she found herself in the dark room and, thankfully, alone. Groggily she stumbled to the bathroom and washed her mouth out with water. Weakly she staggered back to bed and fell into a fitful sleep.
During the early morning hours, Sharon awoke and went into the living room to sit in the dark and think. Miserable and confused, her thoughts flew wildly. Is it possible Jeremy has a serious illness he isn’t facing or telling me? Maybe, in the past, he had a head injury or a trauma that’s causing his erratic behavior. She could not, and would not, accept that Jeremy was just mean natured and was violent. She didn’t realize Jeremy’s true nature was showing -- one that he had kept hidden from Sharon while they were planning their marriage. Her heart ached thinking of how helpless she felt. Putting her head back against the chair, she drifted into an uneasy sleep.
Sharon woke the next morning feeling sore and lonely. Sad and bewildered, she took a shower and prepared to brush her teeth. Her reflection in the mirror filled her with horror. Both eyes black, cheeks red and swollen, bruises all over her body. Even her heart felt bruised. Jeremy had not come home.
Going into the kitchen, she hoped she would be outside, and with sunglasses on, before the women saw her. Linda and two other wives were going shopping and Sharon had offered to drive this time. How I wish I were not obligated to go, but I can’t hide forever. Dear God, what can I do?
Listening
