My short story for the week is just a snippet of an eventual novel that might be published someday. This section describes one of the characters who has adapted to her life of abuse by relying on multiple personalities she’s created in her mind. These imaginary characters come to life when she needs them for her survival. Her name is Linnie.

Linnie Dugan and her mother, Dorothy, had a long, troubled history.  She was never sure how old she was since they never celebrated any family member’s birthday, except for Dorothy.  When she was a young child, Linnie found ways to escape from her mother and her treacherous treatment.  She’d assume the characteristics of a tough, young man named Tommie.  He was her hero, and allowed her to retreat into a different world for a short time. During those episodes, Dorothy claimed her daughter was acting out and needed to be punished for her disorderly behavior.

Each situation that concerned Linnie and her overbearing mother turned into a battle. So, to say, “there was no love lost between them was an understatement.” The skirmishes continued on a daily basis.

Dorothy was the church organist and carried her own demons, which might have explained her chaotic mind and outlandish behavior.  Music became her refuge and eventually led to an affair with the choir director.  It seemed so right at the time.  The man was single.  He had no ties.  No one would ever suspect that their extended choir practice time would in fact become a rendezvous for the two.  Her husband was known to the entire town as the local drunk and wouldn’t have a clue anyway. 

While Dorothy was living a secret life, her daughter was finding her own way.  Even though she never was found to be guilty of any wrong doing, she was accused by most fellows in town to be a floozy and an easy mark.  It was during those times that Linnie called on one of her imaginary friends to intercede on her behalf.  She had become known as quite a wild cat in her short existence.  Whenever anything went wrong in town, Linnie was almost always held responsible.  Her mother never came to her defense, but instead referred to her as a difficult child. The collision course they were on together would soon end, leaving Linnie to fend for herself even more.  When things were finally on an even keel, Linnie found some actual friends at school.  Two other girls had recently enrolled in the high school.  Both of them had their own baggage, but Linnie became a sort of lifeline for both of them.

After graduation, one of the girls, Ellie, who was betrothed to a rich farmer in the area had her life all planned out for her.  Theirs was a different set of circumstances as well.  Ellie was purchased as a mail order bride from a French man in Canada who had plenty of daughters to get rid of.  Ernest wanted his wife to be educated.  After graduation they were married.

The reception was attended by everyone in town, including the Dugans.  Dorothy and her reunited husband, Frank, showed up and this time she was the one who got drunk.  She was so drunk that he had to carry her home.  Linnie came home later to find her mother at the foot of the basement stairs – dead.

Frank tried to explain that what happened was an accident, but confessed that no one would ever believe him.  He might even be facing a murder charge.  Linnie helped him retrieve the body, carry it up the stars and dig a grave for her in the woods behind the barn.  All the time, Dorothy’s glazed, dark eyes were staring directly in to Linnie’s – an image that would haunt her for the rest of her life. She didn’t regret losing her mother, but she never got over the thought that her father might have actually pushed her down those steps.