Shame Game

By Jacqueline Fieck

Gloria is a young fifteen year old girl who just wants to get through high school so she can move forward into her future. Her ambitions to become a successful artist are tragically ruined because a high school bully gets his revenge. Her dystopian lifestyle spins out of control. Her abusive parents force her hand into another, instead of the boy she is totally crushing on. Sadly, this story gets worse with each chapter until things finally hit a most necessary up swing. This compelling story isn't your average romance. The painful and harsh moments this girl faces help make life seem pleasant in comparison. The story may start rough and be sad, but a lovely ending is in sight. You may be inspired to cry new tears, but this time of happiness for Gloria.

*Some scenes may be graphic or triggering to certain audiences. Parental Advisory is suggested. *

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jacqueline Fieck
• Release date: Jun 18, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223105947

Book preview

Shame Game

By Jacqueline Fieck

Copyright Ⓒ 2023 Jacqueline Fieck

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission. This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental. Jacqueline Fieck asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work. Designations used by companies to distinguish their products are often claimed as trademarks. All brand names and product names used in this book and on its cover are trade names, service marks, trademarks, and registered trademarks of their respective owners. The publisher and the book are not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book. None of the companies referenced within the book have endorsed the book.

Self-published June 19th, 2023

Dedication:

Hello lovely, please know you are not alone if you have faced sexual abuse. This book is for all you hurting people out there who have been neglected in some way from being able to share your story. I encourage you to seek God above all else to help you, that’s what helped me. Please note this story is fictional, but realistic in a sense. Your story is very important. I hope this helps you to overcome and speak out. Write your own story!

Much love dear reader,

Jacqueline Fieck

Table of Contents

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

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Epilogue

Salvation

About the Author

Other books

Chapter 1

Oh my gosh... He is sooo cute. Gloria thought to herself. She peered past the rows of chairs at Jake, her church crush. He’s so strong and compassionate. I haven’t met a kinder boy here. I wish I could talk to him more. We have brief encounters, but nothing like I want.

Gloria! Get your butt out here. Her mom yelled down the hall.

She jumped and paced toward her anxious mother quickly. She turned just in time to see Jake smile and wave at her. She smiled and waved back until her mother gripped her hand roughly and guided her to the car where her authoritarian father was waiting.

You know, gas isn’t cheap these days... What was taking you so long? He asked gruffly.

I was, uh... Gloria started.

She was checking out the boys.

Stupid girl. Do we need to have yet another conversation about boys? I told you they are off limits until you are eighteen. That way if you get pregnant like your mother, you won’t be our problem. Her father boomed.

I know. Gloria sighed deeply.

Shape up, young lady. Her father urged.

They pulled away from the church. Gloria prayed one day she would be able to escape the toxic, strict religious environment she dwelled in day and night. Her father and mother were always fighting but kept the peace in front of others. They wouldn’t divorce because it was wrong in the sight of God.

Gloria thought the whole idea of God was hearsay and didn’t care one bit about it. She had moments she bought into the religious bull crap the pastor preached behind the pulpit, but most times she just stared at Jake across the room with his perfect family, or she daydreamed about her life after high school.

At the age of fifteen, she had dreams and desires for the future. She wasn’t going to let her family hold her back from success, regardless of all the hurtful comments her parents flung her way. Her misery in Missouri would end.

She was thankful to be an only child. She couldn’t imagine the amount of turmoil another child would cause her poor parents. They constantly fought and complained about money. Her father gambled all their hard-earned money away at poker tournaments. He was supposed to be a champ, but he didn’t strike big every time, so they struggled a lot.

Her mom worked full time as a waitress at the Greasy Pub down the road from their house, which was convenient since her mom didn’t have a car to drive to work. Her father demanded that he drove the car to his factory job on the outskirts of town. Her mom didn’t object or argue. She often worked double shifts to ensure they paid the bills and put food on the table.

Gloria knew her mom kept money hidden from her father, but her mom didn’t know she was more aware of her surroundings than she let on. Her parents seemed to think she was an idiot girl with no sense of life. In truth, she had a better grasp of reality than they did, but she wouldn’t be caught saying that. Her timid nature took over when she started getting yelled at by either parent because it was the best way to not escalate things.

The moment they arrived back home, Gloria retired to her bedroom to read. Her parents quickly started talking about church and other topics she didn’t really care about. She just wanted to get through life without added trauma.

Growing up, things weren’t as bad, at least they weren’t in her mind. Unfortunately, after her father started gambling hard core and drinking, things started going downhill. The once strong and invested leader of the house fell into a downward spiral that caused him to become someone he was never supposed to be.

Gloria did her best to keep her nose out of trouble. She attended school, did her homework on time, and started to pick up shifts at the local grocery store to keep her occupied and out of the house. She didn’t want to tread underfoot.

Unfortunately, since she was working, she was required to pull her own weight. Which meant anything she made from working went to her father to help with the bills because of his irresponsibility. She found the whole ordeal unfair and frustrating, but there was no use in arguing with the brutal man she knew to be her father. He was too wrapped up in himself to see her pain and problems. He couldn’t even see the struggle his own wife was dealing with.

On que, her parents started fighting again. This is why I will never get married. I want to die alone. I’m alone now... What’s the difference? I like Jake, but it will never happen. He would never want to be with me, also we don’t know each other. I don’t want to be with someone who changes after years of being together.

Mom and dad used to be so happy... Now they just fight all the time. Sometimes I wonder if Dad will pass out from lack of oxygen after yelling without taking a breath. He gets so worked up and Mom doesn’t help. She makes things worse.

I’m shocked our neighbors haven’t called the cops lately... Although they are far enough away that the vicinity offers them privacy. Gloria thought to herself.

She put on headphones then continued reading her book for English. She flipped the page when suddenly a gruff hand grasped her shoulder and turned her around. Her father ripped her headphones off, taking some of her hair with him. She didn’t dare make a sound.

WHAT THE HELL IS YOUR PROBLEM!?! I’ve been calling you for the last five minutes. He yelled gruffly.

I’m sorry... I was reading for English.

You already know English, that’s enough. You won’t go far with that education anyway. He huffed then sauntered toward the door. Get to the kitchen before I do, otherwise it’s another night without food for you.

She jumped from her rickety chair and ran to the kitchen quickly. Thankfully, she made it before her father. Her mother looked less than impressed. A red mark displayed on her cheek.

I really don’t want to go another night without eating. Although, they don’t know I have a stash of food in my closet for just in case situations. The floorboards come up in there, so I can hide it without detection. If they knew, I would get beat for sure... She thought to herself.

Get the dishes done so your mother can cook supper. I’m going out. When I get back, the house best be spotless. Her father claimed.

Yes, Sir. Gloria answered.

She quickly got to work while her mother sat reading a magazine at the table. Her father grabbed his wallet and left, slamming the door to show he was ticked. He apparently has one volume level, loud. He even has to slam the door to ensure we know he left.

Gloria didn’t utter a word. She quickly finished the dishes then cleaned up the living room and other areas around the house. She was nearly done when her mom called her into the kitchen for dinner. She sat down to see tuna casserole sitting on the plate in her spot.

UGHHHH. I hate when mom makes this. She is such a bad cook. Meanwhile, Dad is probably eating a big juicy burger at the casino. I can’t wait to leave this hell hole.

She silently ate in the toxic, lung crushing silence surrounding her. Once she was finished, she returned to cleaning. She finished just in time for her father to arrive back home drunk and sad after losing all the rent money. Her parents had another round of arguing while she tried to sleep with her headphones on. Just another delightful night in paradise.

Chapter 2

Gloria awoke happy for the day ahead. Monday meant school, which was a break from the chaos at home, although her mom had a double shift, and her father would be busy drowning his sorrows on his day off. Mondays were a mandatory off day for him since he needed to recoup after the weekend of gambling. He would return to the poker table on Tuesday with a fresh face and new outlook.

Meanwhile, Gloria attended school and went upon her days hoping one day she would be able to escape. Eighteen couldn’t come soon enough.

She was busy getting ready for the day. She didn’t see the new text from the only friend she had in the world. Gemini came into her life when she was facing horrible bullies at school. The girl was fearless and didn’t seem to care what others thought about her. They were practically twins, except Gemi didn’t have bad parents. Her’s were understanding and strong. They raised her to be a good girl, but not a Christian one.

Gloria put on a flowing yellow dress with a blue necklace. She bought a lot of her own clothes when she could. It was the only way she could showcase her style without wearing rags to school and work. She replied to Gemi then ran outside to catch the bus. She grabbed an apple on her way, careful to be quiet as a mouse. Her father was sleeping on the couch, as usual. She didn’t want to go to school with a new bruise.

She safely emerged into the warm sunshine begging to kiss her tan skin. Her dark brown eyes and full lips accented her dark jet-black hair. She wanted to get blonde highlights, but knew it wasn’t possible since her parents refused to buy her clothes. She knew she was beautiful without adding extra unnecessary adornments to herself.

Surprisingly, her self-esteem wasn’t really an issue. Her parents hadn’t attacked how she looked after she reminded them, she was