From Battery to Victory 2: In the Midst

By Dee Talton

Just when Deanna thinks she has escaped the nightmare her life has become, Jamie is set free and picks ups right where he left off. Vowing that he had changed like so many times before, Deanna finds herself once again trapped sub-coming to abuse much worse than before. What will she do? Will she survive?

• Language: English
• Publisher: S & J Publishing
• Release date: May 10, 2019
• ISBN: 9780578512433

Book preview

From Battery to Victory 2: In the Midst

From Battery to Victory 2: In the Midst

Dee Talton

www.sandjempowers.com/book-publishing/

ISBN-13: 978-0-578-51243-3

ISBN-10: 0-578-51243-3

Copyright 2019 Dee Talton

All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written permission of the publisher.

Publisher: S & J Publishing

Dedication

I dedicate this book to Pearl Talton-McKiry and Tynica (Nica-Shan) Talton. My life was so much sweeter having you two in it. I thank God for allowing me the opportunity to know and love each of you. I will always treasure our memories deep in her heart. Continue to rest in heaven until we meet again.

I can’t leave out Patricia Reese Butler thanks for believing in me, never giving up on me, sticking with me, praying with and for me. Thanks for pushing me when I wanted to give up. You saw me in this place even when I didn’t see herself here.

Contents

Chapter 1I’m Coming Home

Chapter 2 You Think It’s Cute to Disrespect Me

Chapter 3Am I Going to Die Like This?

Chapter 4You Trying to Leave Me?

Chapter 5I Will Put a Stop to All of This

Chapter 6Deanna, I’m Sorry

Chapter 7 I Miss You and You Know You Miss Me

Chapter 8What Did I Do That Was So Wrong?

1

I’m Coming Home

Deanna (Dee) had a certain unyielding peace knowing Jamie was in jail and couldn’t hurt her. She enrolled herself in some college courses and she went to get a better job. Her children seemed to be happier and that made her content: their joy gave her not only delight but it fueled by exhilaration and risk. Dee’s days were better and more fulfilling. Until Jamie called.

He wondered the same every day: what you doing, where you been, who you been talking too? Right along with his usual threats.

Man, I wish his momma phone would get cut the fuck off forever, Dee would ponder.

His family got on her damn nerves bringing that damn phone to wherever she was for him to interrogate her with random shit. Dee told him that she was working a better job and going to school, thinking that would make him at least pleased. Instead, it only pissed him off: he went from nine to ninety in a matter of seconds. Anger grimaced the calls and foreboded any future she could pray for.

You must got some nigga you fucking at that school. You trying to impress somebody and shit, he would scowl. There Dee was once again pleading her case. The fifteen-minute phone calls always seemed like forever—forcing her into a bleak eternity with no yearning and no sweet infinity. As Dee halted the negativity from consuming her happiness, she thought I am trying to do better for my kids, and I don’t always want to work in a kitchen in somebody’s restaurant. I want them to have all the things I never had. I don’t ever want them to live like I had to live. People pick on them, talking about them because of what they have or don’t have. I am not out here trying to be with nobody. I don’t have time.

I love you, Dee. I miss y’all, he would menacingly whimper.

Oh really? she would sarcastically reply.

Then he would break down the only sense of confidence that welled in her spirit: look at you! Have you seen yourself in the mirror? Don’t nobody want your spotted-face ass, don’t no man want a woman with children. Who you think want you other than me? You ought to be glad I want you. Dee dropped her head and just held the phone. Was he the only person that loved me? Is that what he was saying? And was it true? Does God even love me she would think to herself? Dee let out a sigh of relief when she heard the automated voice come on the line notifying them of two minutes left. I love you Dee, he alleged softly in that voice that always melted her heart. Love you too, she whispered. Prove it, he presumed as the phone hung up before she could respond. The silence that followed the dial tone represented the way Dee felt about her life when Jamie was incarcerated—a constant, dismal lull that magically sucked all her optimism from her spirit.

Eight months had passed by and Jamie was still calling and acting a fool from jail— so much so that he started calling Dee’s job. He hated when he couldn’t contact her, and some days she would not open the door for his momma or his daddy when they came with the cheap phone that ruled her life. Dee just didn’t want to hear all his furious rages and frenzied hullabaloo. A little piece of herself died every time she would speak to him. It was easier to talk to him than it was to avoid him, though. However, the results were the same either way. Michelle tapped on the door with the phone in her hand: he wants you. I don’t know why he keeps calling like this, knowing Ma going to get mad and be talking all that shit to me. Dee hunched her shoulders in bewildering woe as she reached for the phone. She answered as she tried not to sound annoyed.

Say, girl, what you doing? he asked.

Laying across this bed studying before I go to work, she answered nonchalantly.

You miss me?

Dee answered the way he wanted as she looked up in the ceiling, rolling her eyes. He always asked the same questions. Hell, Dee could recite and answer them by memory. If only she could have a sound recording to answer the glum, menial questions he would humdrum through. Suddenly, the monotony of the call stinted her fears like a jolt as he told her he would be coming home soon. Little did she know his soon would mean today.

What time do you get off?

Eight. I work eleven to eight all week.

They are calling my name on this box so I got to go, as he quickly hung up.

THE ELEMENT OF SURPRISE

Time was going by fast at work. Dee was tired and couldn’t wait to get off. Her relief walked in and she walked out. Dee’s feet hurt and a hot bubble bath was calling her name. She punched the time clock and prayed her ride was out front waiting on her. The kids were with her aunt and wouldn’t be home until tomorrow.

Dee opened the door feeling for the kitchen light. I could have sworn I left the light on so it wouldn’t be so dark, but I guess not, she thought. Locking the door behind her, she deposited her keys and purse on counter making a beeline for the bathroom. Flipping on the light, her heart dropped, and she slowly turned around.

What the damn hell! She almost fell dead: there he stood in the flesh.

"See--you never know when or where I am going