Nothing Much

A memoir snippet © 2020 Raziel Bearn

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Nothing much bad ever happened to her. Nothing much good, either.

She wasn’t abused -- unless you count being whipped which they called getting spanked for contradicting her mother on some point of subjective perspective that dared convey independence and diversity of thought.

Unless you count being threatened with getting sent to reform school -- those prisons for children who rebelled against being over- controlled, who denied eating cake after school or hiding M&Ms in the hollow behind the dresser.

It was frowned upon to believe anything other than what the Methodists were certain was gospel. Thou shalt not merely ask questions highlighting hypocrisy for that was heresy punishable by ten lashes of her father’s belt across her ass.

Only the family could be trusted was the mantra, they instilled. Only your parents really love you, they preached. Only the bible is true, only christians are right, only we know what is best for you. You’re just a child, incapable of reason.

This is a happy family and you better act like it.