Have Faith

Lesley had not had an easy life. Her father was an alcoholic that could go from laughing with her to screaming at her and calling her names in half a second. Her mother died when she was five. The only positive in her life was the boy next door, Bernie.

Although she was a good student, Lesley was attracted to boys who were troublemakers. She fell hard for these boys, and they always broke her heart. Bernie, loved Lesley and everyone knew it, but he was nerdy and sweet and she liked him as a friend, but that was all. They had grown up together, rode bicycles and went to the park and built ramshackle tree forts together. Lesley had always counted on his friendship when she needed a shoulder to try on, a ride to school or an extra $5 for something. He never refused her anything.

High school came to an end and Bernie left for college. He promised to call her and come home to visit when he could. Lesley was a little worried about how she would manage without him, but she had landed a new boyfriend, Brad, who was handsome, cool, exciting and mysterious, and that occupied her thoughts.

After an evening of driving around country roads drinking beer and smoking pot with Brad, Lesley was on cloud nine. They parked in a remote area and Brad had his way with her. She told herself it was what she wanted, too, but she hadn’t really had any time to consider it before it was over. Brad told her he loved her, though, so it was perfect. She loved him. They spent all their spare time together and one night, Brad asked her to marry him. Lesley said yes and cried with happiness. They found a cheap apartment and were married at the courthouse in less than a month. Lesley was in heaven.

Except that she wasn’t, not really. Brad was like her father, he drank too much and would suddenly be filled with rage over the dumbest things, swearing and throwing things and scaring her. Lesley tried to talk sense to him or help him calm down, and one night he backhanded her. Brad said he was so sorry, he hadn’t meant to hurt her, it was just that she made him so mad. She forgave him and they slept wrapped in each other’s arms that night with Brad whispering how much he loved and needed her. After, that, Brad hurt her physically on a regular basis.

Her father saw the bruises and asked her what she was doing to make her husband so mad. Her father called her stupid, and she believed it. This was what she deserved, she thought.

Bernie came home for Thanksgiving and went to Lesley’s place of employment, the Pizza King. Lesley was so glad to see him, and she gave him a hug. When Bernie squeezed her, she winced and he noticed. He ate pizza and had a beer and waited for her to get off work. He drove her to the little park where they used to hang out.

Sitting at a picnic table, Bernie told her about college and Lesley told him about marriage. She cried when she admitted how awful her life had been. Bernie urged her to leave Brad, but she said it was too hard, that he would never let her go. And she said that sometimes he was so good to her, so sweet, that she still loved him.

Before Bernie left to go back to school, he had a serious talk with Lesley. “One of these days, he’s going to really hurt you,” he said and Lesley started to protest, but he stopped her. “I have a good job on campus and student loan money left over and after Christmas break I’m going to have my own apartment. I want you to come and stay with me. Please tell me you’ll think about it. Please, Lesley, I know you don’t love me and that’s okay. But, do you have faith in me?”

“You’re the only person I have ever had faith in, Bernie,” she said.

“Then promise me you’ll think about what I said.” She nodded and they hugged good-bye.

Two weeks later Lesley was in the hospital. One of her co-workers had forced her to go. She had a black eye, a cracked rib and a concussion. Her co-worker, Jeanie, insisted that Lesley stay with her and Lesley was relieved she had someplace safe to go. Bernie called her almost every night to check on her.

Brad was angry that his wife didn’t come home. He learned where Lesley was staying and pounded on Jeanie’s door, demanding that Lesley come with him. The women told him to leave and called the police. When Brad kicked the door in, the police pulled up and arrested him. He only spent one night in jail, but he stopped coming around. Lesley filed for divorce and got a restraining order.

When Bernie came home for Christmas, he and Lesley were happy to be reunited. Lesley realized that Bernie’s love had sustained her all this time, and she realized that she did love him, after all. She went back with him and began a long journey of healing.

Copyright ©2025 Lisa Paul

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Written in response to Esther Chilton’s writing prompt.

Writing Prompts