1 of 11

Write now Article Tools

Page 3 of 3

be gone," he said.

I ran my car into a ditch at nearly 50 miles an hour that night. Everyone assumed I did it on purpose. It flipped end over end twice, and rolled three times. The mangled Honda looked like it had already been through the crusher at the junkyard. I walked away without a scratch, sat by the road and watched emergency personnel search the area for ten minutes before I realized they were looking for my body. Did I wreck intentionally? I honestly couldn't tell you. Maybe.

I don't talk about the man and woman who produced me. I refer to the good people who offered me a place to run to as my parents, instead. I had just had my second child when someone told me 'Mom' was pregnant again, and I threw up for two days. Now I have a baby brother I have never seen.

They probably told my sweet little sibs that I'm horrible. I can't bear to think about it. I carry an enormous burden of guilt because I got away yet failed to save them. I keep hoping my doorbell will ring one day and one of the kids will be there...but it hasn't happened yet. our world is broken, and I can't fix it.

I have a good husband (how'd that happen?) and three beautiful children, and I would kill to keep them innocent and safe. My parents will never get near my babies. This is not an amicable separation, though people who don't know the story (my grandparents included) keep urging reconciliation. No. Not an option. Some things you don't forgive.

I have good days and bad days - but the good days outweigh the bad. I refuse to let my parents ruin the rest of my life. I won't ever forget, but I've survived; I look forward and not back.

Learn more about this author, Grace Alexander.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

• << previous page
• 1
• 2
• 3

Add your voice

Know something about Divorcing family members?
We want to hear your view. Write now!