Strength

This is a narrative story I wrote. The characters and the situation are fictitious. I was inspired by a song about strength and kindness. I dedicate this to all the females who seek the strength they need to escape abusive relationships.

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Some people live life effortlessly; they can move through their everyday lives with a sense of ease. These people stand out because they match societies idea of perfection. They get the attention they need for any situation.

            Now, Andie Crawson, on the other hand, is not one of those people. She blends into the background; quietly living her self- sustained life. She has a simplicity to her personality, and calmness in her presence. She has kindness in her heart, and innocence in her cobalt eyes. She couldn’t have known that by simply being herself she could change a life.

            Andie stretched out her stiff legs before she crossed them again. Her black sunglasses slid down her angular nose as she looked down at her red sketchpad. She used her thin fingers with unpolished nails to gently push them back up to her focused eyes. She looked out onto the clear teal lake just as a gust of wind pushed her long golden hair into her calm face. Without any signs of irritation she pulled her hair into a loose ponytail. The persistent wind caused loose strands to escape and frame her face in wispy curls. She slowly traced her pencil across the paper as she captured the simple moment she was experiencing. The soft black lines smudged as her hand passed over them, leaving gray residue on her pale wrist. The only sliver of light pushing through the dark rolling clouds caught her from behind. She glowed for a moment, as she was the only thing illuminated on the desolate beach.

            Andie pushed her head back against the tree she was leaning against as she closed her sketchpad. She looked up into the darkening sky, but continued to wear her black sunglasses. She slowly closed her eyes so she could live in the moment; feel the breeze, smell the air, and touch the sand. She understood life in a way that most people strive for. She saw the decay in her life, and refused to let it rot her heart. She used her fear to drive her forward. It was in that self-reflecting moment that a figure emerged from the opening in the trees behind her.

            The stumbling girl had just gotten out of her boyfriends car, which left her barely standing as it sped away. The tears streaming down her make-up covered face gathered in dark pools at her chin. The teenage girl did not notice Andie as she struggled through the sand towards a dark bench. The girl collapsed on the wood sobbing, assuming she was the only one on the empty beach. Andie felt a tug in her heart as she realized the bruises covering the girl’s arms. Without thinking twice Andie gathered herself, stood up, and steadily made her way over to the girl.

            It started raining by the time Andie sat on the bench next to the girl. The girl’s tears mixed with the falling rain as she looked up at Andie. The embarrassment showed clearly in the girl’s eyes when she realized she was crying in front of a complete stranger. The girl winced as she used her bruised forearm to wipe away her tears. Andie studied the girl through her sunglasses as she reached out and embraced the frail shell of a girl crumpled on the bench. Andie held the girl gently for a moment before she pulled back. The girl gaped at Andie; not quite sure about what just happened.

            Just as a pool of light filtered through the rainy sky, Andie finally pulled off her sunglasses to reveal a blue and green lump on her eye. Andie could see the questions building up in the girl’s eyes, so she took the girls hands and pulled her up. Andie stood tall and used some of her insight to give the girl some of the strength it took her a long time to find; hoping the girl would find her strength faster than it took Andie to find her own. She let go of the girl’s hand, but right before she turned around to leave she put her sunglasses back on, calmly smiled, and simply stated, “I left him.”