The Family Triangle

By Charlotte Mae

The Family Triangle is a story of a young girl named Chris whose
life is filled with pain not only of the heart, but also physically.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Her mother has such a hatred for her that the
only way she can show any feelings is to beat her daughter.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> As Chris world continues she finally finds
not only a new friend, but also a new love in her life, but her joy is short
lived, her mother refuses to allow her any pleasures in life.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Suddenly the story takes a strange turn . . .
no longer will Chris live in a life filled with unhappiness.

Chris is finally on her own, but
at what price? Chris takes things into
her own hands and finds freedom. Her
life is filled with stress, tension, and grief until finally fate smiles upon
her. She finds a lost friendship, a
wonderful man, and the family she never had.
She finds a family of three . . . her family triangle.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jul 30, 2004
• ISBN: 9781418415969

Charlotte Mae

Originally, The Family Triangle was Charlotte Mae’s first book, but she waited until the time was right to release it.  This story holds much of the pain that Charlotte endured not only as a young girl, but also as a woman. She takes you on a journey of a young girl’s life, while coming to terms with her own demons.  The pain that her character Chris endures, is much like the pain that Charlotte lived with.  As a reader she invites you share some of her past and all of her future.  Her life is now full and it is only by being fulfilled that she can now share her past, her memories, and her story.

Book preview

This book is a work of fiction. Places, events, and situations

in this story are purely fictional. Any resemblance to actual

persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

© 2004 by Charlotte Mae. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval

system, or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical,

photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written

permission from the author.

First published by AuthorHouse 06/30/04

ISBN: 1-4184-1596-0 (e-book)

ISBN: 1-4184-1597-9 (Paperback)

ISBN: 978-1-4184-1596-9 (ebk)

Contents

About the Book

Dedication

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

About the Author

Other Books by Charlotte Mae

AMEN

Beginnings

StarLight StarBright

www.Charlottemae.com

About the Book

The Family Triangle is a story of a young girl named Chris whose life is filled with pain not only of the heart, but also physically. Her mother has such a hatred for her that the only way she can show any feelings is to beat her daughter. As Chris’s world continues, she finally finds not only a new friend, but also a new love in her life, but her joy is short lived. Her mother refuses to allow her any pleasures in life. Suddenly, the story takes a strange turn . . . no longer will Chris live in a life filled with unhappiness.

Chris is finally on her own, but at what price? Chris takes things into her own hands and finds freedom. Her life is filled with stress, tension, and grief until finally fate smiles upon her. She finds a lost friendship, a wonderful man, and the family she never had. She finds a family of three . . . her family triangle.

Dedication

To my son Shaun . . . thank you for encouraging

me to write again. To my daughter Rachel and to

my husband David . . . you all, are my world.

Chapter 1

It was June thirtieth and it was a beautiful summer’s evening. Chris was feeling terribly sad and was alone in an old wooden cabin in the woods where she liked to hike. She would escape from her life at home as often as possible. She felt such a sadness there. Her father had left both she and her mother. And her mother, well, the only love she felt in her heart was for herself. So Chris would go to the cabin to sit and gather her thoughts and pretend that her life was less complicated. She would stare as the old fireplace and imagine that her mom was rocking her in a chair while her father was chopping wood to keep the fire alive. She would also search for answers to the questions within herself and find the hope that she needed to face each new day. Her mother Sandy, was very selfish and unloving. In Sandy’s eyes, Chris would never amount to anything. She felt that Chris was stupid and had no talent. Chris’ self-esteem was less than zero. She had very few friends and never had a boy friend. When she was fourteen, her mother demanded that she keep away from boys. She told her that they would hurt her and try to do bad things to her yet . . . her mother always brought all her men home and let them invade Chris’s space and stay the night. She would leave early in the morning to go to work and Chris would have to deal with them and was left to entertain them. In Chris’ cabin her mother was warm and caring and no man could ever hurt her. Alas, the sun was setting and it was time for Chris to leave her safe place and go home to a world that she so desperately wanted to hide from. That same evening, after Chris had gone to bed. Her mother brought home a man that she sometimes slept with, his name was Mr. Cone. He was wealthy and very respected in their town and Sandy loved to flaunt her affair with him to all of her friends. Chris woke up early the following morning and he was still asleep in her mother’s bed. Quietly, she took a shower and got dressed quite sure that Mr. Cone would sleep all morning. She sat down to eat some breakfast and no sooner did she bite into her toast she heard the sound of her mother’s bedroom door open. Chris could hear foot steps and she knew it had to be one of her mother’s many lovers. Watching the kitchen door, she couldn’t believe what stood before her. She looked up and there he was! Mr. Cone was standing there with no clothing on . . . totally naked! She looked in shock, she was so sheltered from men and had never seen a man in the nude before. All she could do was stare. She wanted to look away, but couldn’t. As his lips moved and he started to speak Chris could feel her heartbeat speed up and her stomach begin to turn.

Hello Chris, may I join you? Mr. Cone could see Chris begin to tremble and shake and her fear made him that much more excited. Chris wanted to scream but could not.

You have to excuse my appearance, your mom washed my clothes last night and forgot about them and now they are drying. I’d love a cup of coffee.

As he reached out his hand to pull a chair out, Chris could see his manhood began to react to the situation. She could feel the sweat start to roll down her face as he sat down and joined her. She felt as if she were glued to her chair and couldn’t run anywhere. She was able to gather enough nerve to get up and pour him some coffee. If she wasn’t nice to him, her mother would make her pay for it with a beating. Chris sat back down and was thinking of an excuse to leave the table without being obvious. Before long, Mr. Cone was pulling his chair closer to hers and then he held onto her hand underneath the table. As he was holding her hand, he tried to guide it to his mid section. Quickly, Chris pulled her hand out of his and feeling lost and confused swallowed hard. She started to let her tears fall that she was holding back. Chris was more terrified at that moment than she had ever been before. She wanted this man far, far away from her. She could feel his breath on her neck as he leaned down to try and kiss her. Fearing that he would force himself on her if she didn’t get out of there, she slowly backed up and then ran as fast as she could out the kitchen door. Sure that Mr. Cone would wear out his welcome Chris did not return to her home until late that night when she was sure that, that horrible man would be home with his family. She was still in shock and shaking from that morning when she returned home and told her mother what had happened. She wrapped her arms around her mother’s neck and just held onto her.

Oh Mom, there is something that I need to tell you about. It’s Mr. Cone, he’s sick and he’s a pervert. He came into the kitchen naked and he wanted me to touch him. I was so scared. I didn’t know what to do. I just ran out of here and waited until you came home. You can’t let him over here again . . . you just can’t!"

She was hoping that her mother would be sympathetic and understanding and would embrace her and protect her, unfortunately it was quite the opposite. Her mother just looked at her with so much evil and contempt in her eyes, sadly Chris was not ready for what was going to happen next. Sandy just slapped her across the face and told her to stop making up lies about such a nice man.

How could you be so selfish and make up such a story? That man is kind and decent. He has never done anything to hurt you. Where do you think the food that you eat comes from? Mr.Cone has helped us out on more then one occasion.

I’m not lying! He tried to touch me and he wanted me to touch him back, why don’t you believe me?

Because you’re trouble and you’re jealous. You have always been jealous of me. You know Chris, this world does not revolve around you although you tend to think that it does. Naked . . . what a bunch of crap.

No Mom, it’s not like that! He really scared me. He’s sick and I hate him!

Shut your mouth and get out of my sight . . . I can’t even look at you.

I’m not lying! I’m not.

All Chris could do was feel hurt and shame and all her mother was worried about was spending more time with Mr. Cone and getting him to help her with her bills.

Her mother became filled with rage and was convinced that Chris made up the whole story just to get out of her chores. Sandy demanded that Chris unlock her bedroom door and let her in. Filled with rage at the thought that Chris was lying, Sandy could feel her hands tighten and soon she balled up her fist and punched Chris right in the face. When she pulled her hand away, she could feel it burn, but she was satisfied that she taught Chris a lesson about her lies.

Ya know Chris, it’s really sad that your life is so pathetic that you have to try and ruin the lives of other people. Mr. Cone is a good man and you will not smear his name, do you understand me? Sandy pulled Chris’s face with her right hand close to her own face and looked her in the eyes. I said, do you understand me?

Yes Ma’am.

Good.

Chris could smell liquor on her mother’s breath and realized that her mother was drunk and nothing she would have said would have made any difference. Chris walked around with a black eye for eight days, but would feel her shame forever.

Two weeks went by and a new girl had moved into the house down the block.

Chris was hoping that the two of them could become friends. Chris was a very lonely girl.

As Chris was taking a walk, the girl called her over. Chris was not sure of the girl’s intentions so she just kept on walking.

She called her over again, so Chris took a chance and went over to her.

Soon after that, the two girls became the best of friends. Chris didn’t have any friends, but Ann changed that. Chris and Ann found out that they were very much alike. They both enjoyed the same type of movies and had the same taste in music. Chris was so happy to finally have someone to spend time with, after all, her mother certainly wasn’t a friend to her.

One night, Ann came over and spent the night, the girls had, had a great time together. They went to the movies and then just hung out. After they got home and got ready for bed Chris’s mother came into her room. Sandy flung the door open and looked at the two girls with disgust in her eyes. She just knew that they were up to no good and had been out with boys that evening.

Where the hell have you two been?

Chris could tell that her mother was looking for a confrontation, but she was going to try and ease the mood.

Mom, we went to a movie and then we came right home . . . really, it’s not that late. It’s only midnight and I promise we won’t stay up much later.

Movies my ass. You two little whores were out looking for boys. Look at you with your short skirts and tight tops. Mr.Cone wasn’t enough for you was he you need more?

Mother, how can you say that? Mr.Cone is sick and twisted and I didn’t want anything to do with him and you know that!

Chris became so embarrassed, all she could do was cry. Sandy then turned to Ann.

My daughter didn’t act this way until she started hanging out with you. Get out of my house and stay away from Chris.

You know what lady . . . you’re nuts. You don’t worry about me hanging out with Chris if it means I have to run into you. I heard you’re a freak and now I know it’s true. Ann walked out glaring at Sandy and then slamming the front door. This really angered Sandy and she was going to show Chris how much. She looked around the room for something to teach Chris a lesson with and instantly she saw her tool.

Sandy came walking into Chris’s room with an electric cord. Chris begged her mother spare her, but only alcohol and evil ran through her mother’s veins which made her unable to care or feel.

No Mom . . . please, no! I didn’t mean to stay out so late, I promise it won’t happen again.

You’re damn right it won’t. Sandy said it with rage in her heart and eyes.

Please Mom . . . don’t!

It did no good, within seconds Chris began to feel the sting from the cord as it hit her tender young skin and split it open to cut and bleed.

The next morning, Chris had welts on her arms, legs, and her back. She called Ann to apologize for what had happened and to ask her to come over. Chris had made it a point to make sure that Ann knew that her mother was not home.

Chris, I’m sorry, but your mother is out of her mind. She’s mean and scary and I’m never coming over to your house again.

I understand Ann, now you know why I’ve never had any friends. My mother has a knack for running them off before I can build a bond with them.

I really feel sorry for you Chris. Your mom is crazy. My dad almost came over to your house to unload on your mom. I really had to talk him out of it. I’ll talk to you at school, but that’s it.

Thanks for keeping your dad away. I’ll see you later.

As Chris hung up the phone, her heart just sank, she had lost the only true friend that she had ever had because of her mother. Her life was a very sad one. It consisted of going to school and coming home to an empty house. The next day after school, Chris went to the park over by her house. She sat and watched the ducks in the pond and felt the warmth of the bright sun as it shined through the trees.

As she looked around, she watched a woman playing with her little girl. They laughed and they played catch together, all she could do was wish that it were her mother and her acting that way. Often, she would have dreams of doing wonderful things and going to great places with her mother. But her dreams were all she had since her mother only spent her money on herself and all of her time was spent with the bottle and her men. Sometimes, Chris would baby-sit and do odd jobs just to get money to buy her clothing and there were many times when she also would have to buy her own food.

She went home at about four-thirty that day, she entered in through the kitchen door, she stopped to get something to drink and then she heard a noise. It sounded like something had broken in her mother’s room. Slowly, she walked out of the kitchen, down the hall and stopped in front of her mother’s room. She could hear laughter from what sounded like a young boy. When she opened the door, she couldn’t believe her eyes. Her mother was in bed with a young boy. As Chris’s eyes and Sandy’s eyes met, Sandy just looked at her and laughed. Not letting the intrusion stop them, the young boy and Sandy continued with what they were doing. Chris ran out of the house, vowing never to return again.

As fate would have it, Chris came to her senses and realized that