Through the Storm

  "So when you drop me off where are you going?" Tre asks Stacey as we're pulling off to leave. At that moment you can sense that Stacey was agitated and wanted to scream. As my best friend, I've heard so many times Stacey tell me how she can no longer accept being controlled by Tre. Never have I seen her make moves toward leaving the situation. Her response to Tre was "You know I'm going straight home daddy". The dude checks her milage on a regular and dare her to go anywhere "unapproved", like where is he expecting her to go knowing he has eyes everywhere? On our drive Stacey once again is telling me how she questions if her life has purpose or value. It hurts so bad to see her this way. I'm Desi, Stacey and I have been inseparable since grade school. I've seen all their relationship has given her and begged her to stop accepting it. Stacey claims Tre loves her, however I'm sure she's attempting to convince herself more than me. 

  Her days were spent lonely, evenings tortured and nights back to lonely unless Tre chose her to be his lucky pick for the night. Days when I am allowed to be there for my best friend we are able to live somewhat normal as long as no one spots her out. Im hearing things like on a regular basis he drugs her so much at night so he's able to sleep around. Making her lose any sense of direction to travel and all the memories of what has happened. My friend truly believes that this is her most loving relationship and it frightens me. I worry for her every moment of everyday. How is someone that claims to love you able to demean and degrade in the same breath?    

Stacey had a troubled childhood and had it not been for our friendship as an outlet for her, I'm sure she would be worse off. It's all she knows from watching her parents struggle.

  Instead of her figuring out how to get out of the storm, she decides to give temporary custody of her daughters to her aunt and uncle which they live with. One weekend her aunt and uncle are going away and she'd be home alone. Stacey was so excited that we planned a girls night and just wouldn't tell Tre at all. That decision was one more mistake because Tre finds out and he and his friends show up to "hang out" univited. This narcissistic monster of an opportunist had the audacity to demand Stacey cook for him and his company. When she refused, I watched my best friend reach at least four inches off the floor as Tre held her by her throat until she agreed to do as told. She gives him so much loyalty due to the fact that Tre seems to always flip the switch and protect her from others when Stacey is in trouble. It confuses her while not realizing that evil being is "banking" favors. You know the "remember what I did" line. 

  Stacey continues to fix his dinner and dismisses me for the evening. She retreats undefeated with her girls to the bedroom attempting to look busy so she's left alone. Just until his company leaves though and the rape occurs again. This time outside on the back porch to humiliate her even more. As my friend informs me later on what happened after I was gone, all I could do was gasp. I ask her how does your spouse rape you? All she could say was "but he loves me Desi". My heart breaks more as I can hear the pain in her voice. Everyday she asks me when will this end and I never know how to answer anymore. She's put up with being overdosed, being put out in so many ways, dogged repeatedly and humiliated beyond belief. My biggest fear is she'll attempt to end the nightmare herself in the most tragic way. 

  Maybe Stacey finally understood my concern and could feel the pain it would cause everyone else around her. What neither of us knew was that the clouds were about to part and their next encounter would be their last. This particular day we are out front playing with the kids and you could see Tre watching from his other "girlfriends'" house on the hill. A car turns into the driveway and it's someone for her uncle. Stacey ensures to remain where she could be seen once the guy enters the house to speak with her uncle. That wasn't good enough apparently and Tre came storming down the street and I was so sure that day was about to end so wrong. I sent the girls inside and stood by close just in case. Tre forced her to get into the car so they could "talk". All is too quiet for so long that I was confused. Few more minutes go by and now they're hanging out the car in such a horrible screaming match. Tre is calling Stacey everything but her given name and Stacey is not in the mood to back down. It's obvious that they were so quiet before because they were partaking in their unhealthy drug habit of choice. 

  Life handed us a surprise we were not ready for when Tre pulls a gun and points it directly at Stacey. Seems like time stopped and that moment lasted all of eternity. A few minutes go by and Stacey is begging Tre to pull the trigger. Never once turning her back to walk away as if she genuinely wanted that day to be her last. Tre is still holding the gun in its' same position and lets her know that if she weren't a female, he would put all six bullets in her. Stacey won't stop yelling even though I'm pleading with both of them to stop. Crying and pleading and neither of them were listening. Stacey finally says what I am certain she will regret. "Please do because a real gangsta wouldn't threaten a female." These unstable creatures stare at one another for a second. Tre drops the gun and begins to walk away laughing. Only to turn and say "that's why I love you". He continues back to where he came from at the house on the hill.

Today Stacey has her girls back and they are living their best lives in Texas where she secretly relocated. Tre is in prison in Georgia with no knowledge of her existence. The daily facetimes between Stacey and I are held so close to my heart. My best friend is back. She came back to me. To life. Stacey and my god daughters are so insanely happy and we choose not to EVER mention the monsters name. We are sure to pray together everyday and give thanks to our Lord for finally giving Stacey the strength to fight for success.