The Safe Place, by Mary Wallace

31/7/2020

Jenny discovered her safe place when she was only six. Chased by bullies, she squeezed inside a hollow tree. There, surrounded by the scent of wood, she breathed deeply and felt safe.

At home when the fighting started, she would retreat inside her wardrobe, her nose pressed against the wood, breathing deeply.

Today Jenny wasn't quick enough. Battered and bruised, she crawled inside her toy box, lowered the lid and breathed deeply. The scent of the wood held no comfort. She could hear him stumbling around searching for her. Jenny knew she would never feel safe again.

32 Comments

Marjan sierhuis

31/7/2020 01:35:12 pm

Everyone deserves to feel safe. Thank you for your story, Mary.

Mary Wallace

31/7/2020 02:00:37 pm

Thanks Marjan.

Sandra James

31/7/2020 01:43:04 pm

Well written, Mary - so sad!

Mary Wallace

31/7/2020 02:01:09 pm

Thanks for reading Sandra

stephanie

31/7/2020 01:50:01 pm

Dear Magian A'dah,
I don’t think you realize how much these emails helped me. You’ve help pull me through the hardest and most painful relationship of my life.
And I am so happy I did what you said because my ex wants me back now. I’m not so eager to jump back in to it after reading your insights about whether we really should be back together but he wants me again and I could not be more grateful for your help and support. Please keep sending them. You really are amazing! i highly recommend you contact he ( mag1an@protonmail . ch )
-Stephanie

Mary Wallace

31/7/2020 02:02:47 pm

Sorry Stephanie, I think you have posted this where you didn't intend to.

Krystyna

31/7/2020 03:35:15 pm

Heart-wrenching portrayal of a scene played out far too often in our world. Well crafted writing, as always, Mary.

Mary Wallace

31/7/2020 03:44:57 pm

Thanks so much Krystyna.

Ed N. White

31/7/2020 04:28:24 pm

I shuddered when reading this. I hope it's fiction, although, in reality, this happens far too often. Thank you for bringing this story out of the shadows and unto the light.

Mary Wallace

31/7/2020 11:33:57 pm

Thankyou Ed for caring about issues like this.

Jim link

31/7/2020 04:27:09 pm

UGH - this grabs you, pulls at you, bubbles up a fear/anger inside at how we humans act. I want to pull her out of that toybox and take her to somewhere where love flows and safe is never a question.
Nice
Jim

Mary Wallace

31/7/2020 11:35:38 pm

I wish every child had a safe place..or rather didn't need a safe place.

Swapan k Banerjee

31/7/2020 04:54:00 pm

Childhood memories when unearthed in adult years look so different on the page. You mine your past so effectively, Mary.

Mary Wallace

31/7/2020 11:36:22 pm

Thankyou for reading Swapan.

wendy

31/7/2020 07:14:55 pm

You evoke feelings in your work. I like it.

Mary Wallace

31/7/2020 11:37:14 pm

Thanks for reading Wendy.

Maria Tonu link

31/7/2020 08:53:24 pm

"Jenny discovered her safe place when she was only six. Chased by bullies, she squeezed inside a hollow tree." In these 2 sentences I read a novel! Congratulations, Mary!

Mary Wallace

31/7/2020 11:37:42 pm

Thank you Maria

Pamela Kennedy

1/8/2020 12:28:31 am

Mary, your portrayal of Jenny was so moving.

Mary Wallace

1/8/2020 01:32:47 am

Thank you for your comment Pamela.

Sue Clayton

1/8/2020 03:20:14 am

Mary, as always you've managed to tug the heartstrings of the FFF community with your brilliant creative writing.

Mary Wallace

1/8/2020 05:21:59 am

Thank you Sue.

Don Tassone link

1/8/2020 02:42:09 pm

“Write what disturbs you, what you fear, what you have not been willing to speak about. Be willing to be split open.” -- Natalie Goldberg

Mary Wallace

1/8/2020 03:13:34 pm

That's how writers make a better world Don. Thanks for reading.

Phyllis Souza

1/8/2020 04:53:06 pm

I can smell cedar. Another great story!

Mary Wallace

1/8/2020 06:21:18 pm

Thankyou for reading Phyllis.

Paritosh Chandra Dugar

2/8/2020 07:19:09 pm

I think this is a great story. It touches upon a universal question. It awakens you. Well done, Mary.

Mary Wallace

2/8/2020 09:47:02 pm

Thank you for your comments Paritosh.

Jim Woessner

2/8/2020 10:52:53 pm

It's an odd feeling, I think, when feeling sad is a positive sign that a story has touched you. You did well on this one, Mary.

Mary Wallace

3/8/2020 02:25:12 am

Thanks for reading Jim.

Bobby Warner

2/8/2020 11:13:48 pm

I'll add my "wonderful," to this one. "Nuff said, Mary.

Mary Wallace

3/8/2020 02:25:37 am

Thank you Bobby.

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