FIGHTING FOR LOVE!!!

Baaam!!! He slapped her. She fell to the ground clutching her face. Tears careened around her eyes. “Get out of my way you good-for-nothing woman,” he snarled at
her. In searing pain, she managed to drag her hurting body out his way, yet he kicked her in the stomach as he walked past her in a drunken stupor. She grabbed her stomach as she let out an agonizing yell. As though
she were not human, he ignored her pains and headed into the living room. “Next time, don’t make me knock more than three times before you get the door,” he said
authoritatively and walked into the bedroom. It was about 1:00AM and he had just returned from a drinking spree with his friends as usual. It had become their Friday night ritual. Although their salaries had not been paid in months, they drank on credit and ended up spending a huge chunk of their paltry salaries on alcohol bills when their salaries finally arrived.

“ Juliet !” He yelled at her like a house maid. “Yes!” She answered through an avalanche of pain. “I want my dinner ready before I return to the living room.” Juliet, her wife of
nearly fifteen years diligently and obediently lifted her bruised and battered body to the kitchen and began to warm his dinner, which had long gone cold. Their children had been awoken as usual by their father’s angry and drunken return. They lay quietly in bed, wishing he would not lay his hands on their mother. Their only daughter, Ogemma , who was only nine years of age was crying. She muffled her voice by
placing her hands over her mouth to keep from attracting their father’s anger. The last time she cried out loud in response to his terrible beating of their mother, their father Bernard Ogbodo slapped her into quiet submission. Their first child, Chudi who had just turned fourteen lay quietly on the bed, burning with rage. He wished he could beat his father in retaliation.

Like a roaring lion, Bernard returned to the
living room for his late dinner. He dangled and reeled as he walked; the effect of alcohol manifested itself fully on him. Juliet had placed his garri and egusi soup on the
table. He hurriedly washed his hands and began to descend on the food. He dipped his hand in the soup and ransacked every nook and cranny of it. “There is only one little piece of meat in this soup Juliet?” He asked in a feat of rage. “Please my husband that is all we have. It has been months since the last time you gave me any money for the upkeep of this house with four children
and us to cater for, yet I have managed to put food on the table. That is all we have, please manage,” she pleaded with him. He rose to his feet as though he had not heard a word of her plea and slapped her with his
garri and soup-covered hand. Tears flowed limitlessly down her face. Juliet sold okpa ,
a snack made from a native bean. It was more like moi moi , but tasted entirely different. She woke up about 4:30AM almost every morning to begin making her
supply for the day. She and her children worked tirelessly to make up for the several months Bernard had gone without pay.

“Daddy please stop it!” Chudi shouted. He jumped out of bed and grabbed his father
by the waist. He slapped him with sheer brute and he fell to the ground. Galvanized by anger and the desire to save her mother, he jumped back to his feet and pushed
his drunken father who went flying to the ground. “You can’t do that to you father Chudi,” Juliet warned him. “Now go back to bed immediately,” she ordered. Reluctantly, he returned to the bedroom and lay in bed.
His heart was pounding against his ribs. “Are you okay?” Juliet asked Bernard. “Come on help me to my feet,” he snapped arrogantly at her. Despite his impudence, she helped him to his feet and placed him back on the couch. “Please eat your dinner Bernard,” she pleaded. Dazed from the fall, he sat back and quietly ate his dinner. Juliet stayed up to take away his plates and
helped him to bed afterwards. “Why don’t you break his head when he returns home
drunk?” Chudi asked his mother in the morning. “You cannot talk like that about your father Chudi. “I don’t care. He is a worthless father. He barely feeds his
family, yet he returns home drunk most nights and beats his wife who makes sure there is food on his table. Iam ashamed of him.” “When you get older, you’d
understand better. We can only pray for him and do our best.” “Our best would be to beat him silly when he is drunk, and I know you can do it. Why do you let him treat you like that?” “For the sake of God, we cannot
return evil for evil.” “But mom, don’t you feel degraded as a person that he beats you in front of us? I agree with all that church preaching that you bring up all the time, but somethings are meant not to be tolerated, and this is one of them. I don’t think it is bad to put an end to a nasty behavior. Maybe he does not know what
he is doing. We need to make him understand how he makes us feel.” “You are right. He certainly does not know what he is doing. We can only pray for him.”

“Enough of that prayer mom. Slam the alcohol out of his head and he will never touch you in that manner again!”
“I agree with Chudi mom,” added Onyenna, their second son, who was twelve.
“Everybody in our streets knows my father as a drunk, and they know he beats you. Other children make fun of us when we play football. How do you think that makes me feel? And you are still praying for him? The man is lost. He has no sense of responsibility. Beat him whenever he returns drunk, and he will stop it,”
Onyenna insisted. “That is exactly what I say to her,” added Ogemma. “Everyone makes fun of me at school,” she continued. Juliet was willing to take Bernard’s
brutality. She wanted to return his evil with love and prayers, but realizing that his attitude was making life too difficult for their children was a bitter pill to swallow. “Stop it children. I have heard enough from
you. I don’t need your advice anymore.” Meanwhile, she was in deep thought as she tried to mask her pain and sorrows from them. Their words had touched a sore point in her heart. She was overly protective of her children. I have to end this terrible cycle, she thought.

“How can you stand such terrible treatment?” Asked Mama Emeka , her best friend. They were chatting one afternoon after both women had finished their selling businesses for the day. “I was awake the other night when he was pounding you like a punching bag. It is about time you put that ugly trend to an end you know,” she continued. “My friend, I understand what
you mean, but I struggle with the idea of raising my finger against my drunk husband.” “So, you will watch him kill you? What happens to your children, should you
be gone? Last time he left you with a damaged rib. No responsible man hits a woman like that. Think about your
children,” Mama Emeka enjoined Juliet. Juliet and her husband were the biggest gossip topic of the neighborhood. Some women claimed they’d poison their
husband if he treated them like Bernard treated Juliet. Juliet was aware of the gossip, but her faith and upbringing restrained her from retaliating. She tried to turn a deaf ear on the gossip flying around the neighborhood.

One evening, she sat in the living room reading the Bible. She had just returned from Bible study. The pastor had preached forgiveness and love. She studied the Bible
intently, while praying in-between her study. She asked God to grant her the strength not to retaliate against her husband. Most of all, she asked that her husband would change for good. It was a Saturday evening. Bernard had gone out with his friends and was not expected home any time soon. The children played in
front of the house with their friends. “Have a nice evening Kevin,” Bernard’s voice roared from nearby. Kevin was his best friend and drinking buddy. He lived two blocks away. He too was in the habit of beating his wife, Chinelo . “What are you doing there woman?” Bernard yelled impudently at Juliet as soon as he entered the living room. “Welcome Bernard,” Juliet
answered. “I want my dinner ready before I return to the living room,” he ordered as he entered the bedroom to change. His reeked of alcohol. Although Juliet sat on the opposite end of the room, she could smell alcohol from his breathe as he spoke.
As always, she left what she was doing and headed for the kitchen to fix him dinner. Within minutes, she had his dinner set on the table. He dangled back into the living room and pounced on his dinner. “I rarely hear you thank me for the work I do in this house. You have not given me a penny in months, yet I feed us all. It would be nice if you said a simple thank you,” Juliet said
politely to him. “What did you say?” He snapped back at her. “You are doing what other women are doing. In fact, other women are doing better out there. If you
are not here, I would have another wife to replace you in a week. You should shut up and do what you ought to do woman!” Again, tears circled her eyes. She was used
to his brash and caustic words, but all the same, she was still human; she still craved a little bit of love, and warmth from him. She took his plates away and returned to her Bible reading, while he sprawled out on
the bed and began to snore away like a drunk elephant.

In the morning, after church Juliet decided to have a chat with him since he was sober.
“I don’t mean to bother you Bernard, but I think we should talk. Please, could you hear me out? Our marriage is no longer what it should be. I don’t like the idea of you smacking me like an animal whenever you return from your numerous drinking adventures with your friends. First, you are spending too much on drinking.
Second, we have little to live on due to your drinking when you finally get your salary. Third, drinking puts you in a terrible mood, which makes you treat me and the children like nothing. Finally, please could you stop
beating me up. The entire neighborhood laugh at me and other children make fun of our children. Please, could you stop drinking and stop treating me like a piece of
rag?” He stared at her derogatorily for a moment. “Who are you to tell me whether I can drink or not?” “Apart from how it makes you treat us Bernard, your health is
being affected. Remember, the last time your blood pressure went whacky, the doctor asked you stop drinking, but you turned a deaf ear on that. We love you and want you around for long.” “If you have
nothing to do Juliet, then shut your mouth. No one tells me what to do, okay? You should be thankful I am in a happy mood today, else, I would have slapped the hell
out of you,” he threatened. She looked at him and an overpowering sadness came over her. She retreated to the bedroom, lay in bed and cried.

Bernard went out as usual for an evening nigh out with Kevin and company. “What is it mom?” Ogemma asked her mother. She walked in and found her crying by
herself. “Mom, stop crying. I know it is about dad. You try to hold it all inside because you want to take care of everyone. Stop crying mom. It will be alright, although I still think we should all pounce on him one of these days when he returns home drunk. It is for his own good. He will probably die from drinking if we don’t
rescue him.” Despite their young ages, Juliet’s children had matured quickly. The financial struggles of their family as well as witnessing their father’s inhuman
treatment of their mother had instilled maturity in them, beyond their various ages. Juliet continued to cry.
She recalled how warm and loving Bernard had been when they got married. All the promises of love and joy had snowballed into a giant, never ending nightmare. She
was only in her mid-thirties but it seemed as though she was over fifty years of age. The palms of her hands and the soles of her feet were rough, and hard times
had carved deep wrinkles on her face.
Suddenly, a wave of strength rushed through her.

 I have to be strong for myself; for my children, she concluded. I can no longer stand and watch Bernard treat me like a non-entity. I have to end this for good.
No more will I let myself be treated this way, she concluded. “Go and call your brothers for me,” she ordered Ogemma. She scampered outside and fetched
Chudi, Onyenna and the youngest of them all, Uchechukwu . “You sent for us mom,” Chudi said to her. Ogemma had told them that their mom seemed troubled, so they had a worried look on their faces.
“Chudi, I want you to take Uchechukwu to Mama Emeka’s house now.” Uchechukwu was only five, so Juliet wanted her out of the way when their father returned. “Why mom? Is everything okay?” Chudi asked
anxiously. “Everything is going to be alright. Do as I have asked you. When you return, I will tell you what to
next to do. Uche, stay there until we come to get you okay?” “Yes mom.” Chudi dropped Uchechukwu at Mama Emeka’s and dashed back home quickly. Juliet dished out
specific instructions to them afterwards.
It was nearly midnight when Bernard finally arrived home.

He banged on the door as always. There was no answer the first time. By the fourth time, the door opened. He was reeking of alcohol. He could barely stand.
His legs shook as he tried to reach out and slap Juliet for not opening the door soon enough. She was expecting
it. She stepped backwards. Bernard fell to the ground at the door. She dragged him inside the house and shut the door. “Stupid woman, what took you so long?” He
said to her. He could not rise to his feet. He was far too drunk. “Idiot, lift me to my feet!” He ordered her arrogantly. “Rise to your feet by yourself idiot,” she replied. “What did you say? I am going to kill you,” he snapped, but he could not lift himself. “If you call yourself a man, then rise to your feet, stupid drunk.”

“You call me stupid drunk?” “Yes, because that is what you are.” He tried for nearly fifteen minutes before he could get himself to sit in an upright position on the
floor. If I reach you, you will be dead.” Juliet stepped towards him. When she was close enough, she slapped him hard on the face. “ Ayoo !!” he exclaimed in pain.
“You slapped me?” “Yes, and I will do it again.” She delivered another ferocious slap on his face. A rush of rage went through him. The rage seemed to afford him some fresh energy. Holding the wall, he managed to rise to his feet. Juliet stepped away from him. Bernard charged at her. Chudi rushed out from the bedroom and tackled him. He fell to the ground. “Don’t touch him!” Juliet ordered Chudi. Chudi wanted to
pounce on him, but Juliet did not want them involved any further unless she was overpowered by Bernard.

Reluctantly, Chudi stepped back. Juliet stomped and punched Bernard. It was as if she was letting out years of anger and frustration. Smack him mom!” Her children shouted. “Shh!” She instructed them to be quiet. She did not want the neighbors to hear the rumblings in their household. She
continued to pummel him until he begged for mercy. “Please stop Juliet. You will kill me Juliet. Please stop, I will never touch you again.” “No, I want to kill you! You
promised to love and protect me when you married me, but all I have gotten from you is pain and suffering. I have kept quiet all these years for God’s sake. I have
begged you to treat me right. I have asked you to consider our children but you love alcohol and your irresponsible friends more than your family. I will kill you
with my bare hands today. You are a stupid man. I want to teach you the lesson of your life. Has the alcohol cleared from your mind now?” She continued to talk to
him through tears as she pummeled him.
“Please stop Juliet. I will never touch you again,” Bernard pleaded with her. “Children help me please. Your mother is killing me,” he implored his children. “It is okay
mom! It is enough mom, please stop,” Ogemma pleaded with her mother. She was crying by now. Even Chudi and Onyenna felt it was enough. They jumped in and
pulled their mother away from their father whose face had been bruised extensively. “You took my quietness and obedience for weakness. The next time you touch me, I
will skin you alive,” she said as they dragged her away from him.

She walked into the bedroom, clutched her
Bible to her chest and cried passionately. “God, I hope you understand with me. I could no longer watch this man destroy my life and our family,” Juliet said as she
cried. Chudi and his siblings helped their father to the couch. As his drunken stupor diminished, he stared at is children and began to cry. “I am sorry for how I have
treated you my children,” he said through a wave of tears. “It is okay daddy,” they echoed. Ogemma rushed to the kitchen and returned quickly with a bowl of cold
water and towel. She wiped his face while Onyenna offered him a glass of water.
After several minutes, he pulled himself together and they helped him to stand. Chudi held Onyenna and Ogemma as the three of them cried, largely out of
relief. Bernard walked into the bedroom. Juliet was at the base of their bed crying with her Bible close to her chest. He dragged himself to her, and wrapped his arms around her. Her tears were like a broken dam that had no bounds. They flowed uncontrollably. It had been years
since the last time he put his hands around her. “Please stop crying Julie,” he begged her. The last time he called her Julie was around when Chudi was born. Emotions
and memories overwhelmed her. She raised her face, but her eyes were drenched in tears. She could barely see anything. She put her Bible aside and wiped her face. He
held her to himself. Without saying a word, she responded almost instantly. She melted into his arms and held him very firmly. She was still crying, and not even the tough Bernard could stop crying. He too rained tears uncontrollably. After a few minutes, he gently let go and fell to his knees. “I am sorry Julie. I will come to church with you from now on. I will no longer lay my
hands on you. Please forgive me. I promise to quit drinking and to love you like I used to. I will no longer spend time with bad friends who have led me on a terrible path,” he begged her.

“I forgive you my Bernie. Please don’t put us through such hell again!” “I will not. I promise.” From that day, Bernard began his hard fought battle to quit alcohol.
With the help of his loving family and pastor, he gave up alcohol and friends who loved it more than their families. Like a flower previously starved of sunshine and
rain, his family began to blossom and flourish. Home became a place to look forward to, for them and their children. “Love is not easy. Love does not always bring sweet emotions,” he said in church at a thanksgiving service four years after the night that Juliet and their children took the fight to him. “Love is not just
beautiful words and splendid cards,” he continued. “Love is beyond all the beautiful things we make it to be. No doubt, it can be all that, but sometimes, it is sad, hard,
tough, ugly, and mean. Truthfully, love would not be love if it were not tough. In love, sometimes we have to make tough choices. To fight a good fight to help our loved ones cross over from a dark side to the light.

There is a place for turning the other cheek, and there also a place for fighting to save those we love. I am saved and alive today because my wife and children fought for me, against me and with me to show me who I had become, and who I ought to be. In my days of drunkenness, they fought against me. First they turned the other cheek, and when that didn’t work, they took
on their armor and fought me into submission to the will of God. I am glad they did. Most of my drinking friends
are not here today. They have succumbed largely to alcohol-related diseases. I wish they had someone to fight for them. I wish they listened. I thank God for my family and most of all, for their love. Juliet, I will
love you until my dying day. Thanks for fighting to save me from the dark and dingy pit of alcoholism!”