My Life, My Design

By Crystal Tarling

Getting out of an abusive marriage without losing your life or your child is never easy. I was determined to change my life and design a new one

• Language: English
• Publisher: Michelle Brown
• Release date: Jan 11, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393838104

Crystal Tarling

I was adopted as young baby and had a wonderful life full of adventure and imagination.  Stories come naturally to me.

Book preview

My Life, My Design

Crystal Tarling

Published by Michelle Brown, 2020.

While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein.

MY LIFE, MY DESIGN

First edition. January 11, 2020.

Copyright © 2020 Crystal Tarling.

ISBN: 978-1393838104

Written by Crystal Tarling.

Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright Page

Dedication

My Life, My Design

To Deborah

I hugged my 6 year old son, Jamie, close and kissed his forehead. I know you are worried, Jamie, but don’t worry.  Mommy is fine and she will always be there.

But Mommy, why is he now so mean and always angry? Jamie looked up at me.

He has a lot of stress at work, Jamie.  It will soon get better. I prayed silently, knowing it was unlikely. Come, let’s go for ice cream. I led the way to the garage and we drove to the local parlour and bought ice cream and walked along the road to the park and ate our ice cream.

At the park, there was a woman with her daughter and son who were both about Jamie’s age. I went over and introduced Jamie and I: Hi, I am Madison and this is my son Jamie. May we join you?

Please do. I am Penny and these two rascals are Ellie and Tim. She smiled. Go and play all of you. Stay where we can see you. The three children ran off. May I be frank?

I nodded, dreading what I knew was coming.

You are in a situation which will not improve unless you do something about it.  I know what I am talking about as I was in your shoes 2 years ago. I can help you and advise you and give you the legal options.  I have been through it all and I am a lawyer so I do know what to tell you.  My legal advice is free. Penny smiled. Please feel free to talk and tell me anything you need to. Here is my card so please feel free to contact at any time, day or night.  I know what it is like to have no one to turn to.

The tears were pouring down my cheeks and I wiped at them, not wanting Jamie to see me crying. You are quite right. Things are escalating. He used to be so calm and loving but now screams at the smallest thing. He has now also started screaming at Jamie and I am scared he is going to start hitting him too. I am wearing concealing makeup every day now. Jamie knows something is wrong and wants to protect me.

Penny patted my hand on the bench. Stay strong and plan your escape carefully. Do you have money of your own?

I nodded. Yes, I have worked all my life and saved as much as I could. The house is in my name and fully paid for.  I owned it before we met.  There is an antenuptial agreement so he cannot touch that. I am between jobs at the moment as the firm closed down. I hope to be going for interviews soon as I have sent my CV out to many places. But if I am leaving him, I may need to move to another town, so maybe need to wait before taking on a new job. Penny nodded in agreement. I have a feeling it will be soon. He is getting more and more out of control.

Document everything you can. Diaries, photos, reports from doctors, anything. I will also help from now on. If you ever need to move suddenly, you contact me and I will help you get away. I have a large house and you could stay there until you have direction. Penny looked up as the children came running over.

Mommy, we’re thirsty. Tim called out and Ellie and Jamie were nodding.

Come.  The café over there has the best smoothies. Penny stood and we walked over to the café. She insisted on treating us all. The children made short work of their drinks. I entered Penny’s number in my cell and gave her a missed call to save mine. We chatted until we had all finished and then went our separate ways.

That night, Brian came home in a foul mood and I dished up supper. Jamie finished his and asked to be excused.  I told him he could go and get ready for bed and I would be up later. Brian pushed his chair back and grabbed another beer and went into the lounge to sit in front of the TV. I cleared the table and