Whew this chapter really was done well albeit a tad ..fast paced. Because shit like what happened like this doesn’t happen quickly. It happens quietly. Slowly. Over time. Now that we know what happened to Nathan, he lashed out because he was scared. Pent up with unused energy and emotions he did not know how to control and the ONLY thing he knew what to do was bully Mattie. That’s what he was taught. That’s “normal”. That’s “safe”. Until it’s not. im not excusing his behavior. But I can explain why it happened because I know what it’s like.
Unfortunately, i personally have almost the same history. I was seduced and raped multiple times by an older student over the course of 3/4 of a year when I was a freshman in high school. Vodka and weed got me compliant. But I was fucking 13. wtf did I know about what I thought I wanted let alone knew what I was doing? What’s worse, he was hot af. Why is it always the soccer players?! 😩
Anyway. I can relate to Nathan’s fear of telling someone because my abuser was the town star and popular student athlete. My folks ? Hmph..mom’s a narcissistic helicopter parent who means well but is extremely toxic. I did all I could to avoid her judgmental attitude and berating. Dad tried to be loving and present but since he grew up in a strict home, didn’t know how to really do that either nor was he a fan of “fags” as he calls them. So I stayed in the closet dating girls on occasion just to keep up appearances. And then I met Zeb.
Sigh..I lost my mind . Sure I was attracted and did whatever he wanted me to do for a while. I rebelled in secret against my folks and we screwed around at his place whenever I could especially that summer before preseason fall sports practices and school started for the yr. Then, as fall ended, he kept wanting to go further and stopped being sweet about it. Stopped getting me compliant with booze and weed. Instead he didn’t stop at the word no. Shit he didn’t even ask. He took. After a while, into winter, he got really mean and I tried to avoid him. He panicked one morning before school and asked me to bike to his house before school so we could “talk”. Yeah. Sure. He was afraid I was going to tell someone, go to the authorities or something. The last thing he said to me was “I’m sorry” and put a pistol to his temple and pulled the trigger. 15 feet in front of me. There was literally nothing I could do. So I panicked. I bolted. I went to school. I didn’t say anything to anyone for fear of being arrested and outed. It makes shit sense now but again, at 13, we can barely tie our own shoes and feed ourselves (ok that’s a slight exaggeration). I. Just. Left. Him. There. I guess his parents found him that evening. I don’t really remember now. I watched the town and school mourn him that week while I hid in plain sight terrified of everything and everyone. Sigh. Sniff. Sorry. I didn’t mean to vomit post.
Anyway, I guess my point is don’t hate on the parents too much. Mine still don’t know 30 yrs later. Kids can be masters at keeping big secrets if they’re scared enough. I know I was terrified.
Jonah terrifies me. He’s a predator for sure. I think we’ve not seen the last of him yet. I’m glad Nate got out to the farm. Healing feels like it’ll happen some there. #cptsd #suicideisnottheanswer #itsoktobeafraid #tellsomeoneplease
since this post turned into a testimony of sorts, if you’re suicidal, please..talk to someone. You are not alone.