COURAGE

I walked in,
To the front desk,
I was 16.
Sweating.

My heart Pounding,
I was ashamed.
The Officer looked at me.
I said,”I need to file a complaint.”

I said it,
And it’s happening.
Maybe,
It’ll stop.

1987?
They took me back,
Sat me down.
I started talking, unloading.

I just wanted Justice,
Help,
Someone to listen.
Someone to believe me.

They listened,
Started a plan.
I had to get my attacker
On the phone,
And have him admit
What he had done.

I was nervous,
Shaking.
I dialed the number,
He answered.

I exhaled,
Tommy,
Why did you hurt me?
Why did you
Repeatedly, attack me
For so long?

The Officers were recording
The conversation.
Tommy hung up on me.
They had no proof.

I felt defeated
And strong
All in one.
It was just the beginning.
Of a long nightmare.

~Carrie Labiak ~