Chapter 2: Remembering Who I Was

Digging deeper into the mountain of old paperwork in the filing cabinet, more of the bittersweet past of broken dreams and promises seemed to come forth. Old and faded journal pages, long since having lost their binder, were found and read. Some were from a time that was better left unsaid, but told a very chilling story of exactly what had made her turn into the woman she was now today. What could possibly be so horrendous that was written on those long forgotten pages that could tell why she had such distrust toward anyone who started becoming close to her?

Still holding one certain page in a hand that shook like a leaf being blow by a gentle breeze, she lights a cigarette, holding it tightly with her lips, taking in a long drag of it and blowing the smoke out of her nose. She poured herself another glass of bourbon, downing a large gulp of it to numb the assault to her mind that was about to be unleashed when she started to read the contents. She knew this page by heart because it was one that she relived every time she closed her eyes. That one memory that she wished with all of her soul that it could have only been a bad dream instead of part of the past that killed any hope for happiness.

Dear Journal,

I went to see my friend Sally today but her brother Dustin was the only one there. He invited me in so I could wait on her to get back. He started talking to me and sat down beside me. He lit up this homemade cigarette and told me to smoke some of it…that it would make me feel good. I didn’t want to, but he just kept on pushing me. It smelled so funny. Kind of like burning leaves. Well I did what he said and took some puffs off of it. Don’t know what it was, but soon my head was feeling funny. It was like the room was spinning. I was so scared. I didn’t know what to do. I told him that I needed to go home, but he wouldn’t let me. He told me that I needed to lie down for a few minutes and that the dizziness would pass. I tried to stand up, but my legs wouldn’t do anything. He picked me up and laid me down on the floor. The next thing I knew he was taking off my clothes. I tried to push his hands away, but they felt so heavy that I couldn’t lift them. All I could do was lie there. Oh my God…what is he doing to me? Why? I felt a pain hit me as if my flesh was being ripped away. Tears started flowing from my eyes and rolling down the side of my face wetting my hair. I couldn’t move. I wanted to run but I couldn’t. He just looked down at me with that smirk on his face. What seemed like forever but was only a few minutes, I guess, he started yelling something then got off. I still couldn’t move. As soon as my body was able, I got to my feet and grabbed my clothes. I put them back on and ran out the door. I didn’t go home, but walked around in the woods for hours trying to figure out why he did this to me. I liked him. How could he be so mean and cold? Why me? I’m only 15.

Yes, that was a question that I constantly asked myself for years afterwards. Why me? Why didn’t I just kill the bastard and be rid of that memory? I didn’t because for some strange twist of fate, I would once again hook up with him and eventually marry him. Misery loves company. And he took something that I could never get back, so revenge on him would be like a sweet but bitter wine. And it would be mine.

Tilting the glass and letting the bourbon slip down her throat, burning its way down into her belly, she smiled a sadistic grin. Yes, revenge against him was sweet, but the price that had to be paid was steep. Wanting him to suffer for years to come, just as he caused her to that day was well worth damning her soul. It was after she had given birth to their son when she started her revenge against him and his family that had hurt her by trying to take away her son. She had reverted back to her roots, deep within dark Cajun secrets of black magic and voodoo curses. Placing them on not only him, but on his mother as well as two of his sisters.

Yes, I will seek my revenge and I will succeed. The curse I place on you my dear mother-in-law is one that will haunt you for the few remaining days of your life. You will never set eyes on your grandson again. This I promise. And as for you who I once called my friend, you will never know the joy of having another son, because you gave up your own and tried to steal mine. And you my other sister-in-law with your holier than thou attitude, you will no longer know the love of your husband and children. They will rise up and rebel against you, leaving you barren and alone. And last but certainly not least, you my husband who has raped and cheated on me since we have been together, you will never have my son, nor shall you ever have another son by any other woman. This I do decree with my very essence.

Two months after she invoked the curse, she received word of her now former mother-in-law had passed away. For a moment she sat there shocked at the news until remembering her curse. Her revenge had begun.