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It Could Happen Again
A short story by women's fiction bestselling author Sonia Rumzi.The struggle of a mother to free herself from the tyranny of a man she once loved, but now threatened her peace of mind, her life and the life of her children."This book, says it all with just the right balance. The challenges faced by the woman desperate to leave, the torn agony by the friends who watch and the complacency of the society that tangles itself with "doing the right thing."-Pandora Poikilos, author of "Excuse Me, My Brains Have Stepped Out"
- GenresFictionShort Stories
29 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 23, 2011
1 person is currently reading
36 people want to read
About the author
Sonia Rumzi
30 books107 followersInspiring others to live a fulfilled life.
Expressing the very core of what I believe and think, I put it on paper. If for one moment someone is touched, for a few hours someone finds comfort from sorrow or despair, I have achieved my goal.
Expressing the very core of what I believe and think, I put it on paper. If for one moment someone is touched, for a few hours someone finds comfort from sorrow or despair, I have achieved my goal.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 30, 2011
This novelette looks at the world of domestic violence. It is not a pretty picture.
Set in present-day Boston, Truvi and her four boys are living with Jake, her boyfriend (two of the children are his). Noor, her friend and co-worker, is the recipient of several frantic, late night phone calls from Truvi saying that Jake is drunk (again), he has grabbed her by the throat, and pushed her against the wall, etc. Noor lets Truvi and her children live with her for a while. After some time, Truvi tells Noor that they are going back to Jake. Crying on the phone, Jake has promised to do better in the future. Noor tells Truvi that there will be no more rushing over to her place. If she wants to leave Jake, Noor will help her any way she can, but Truvi has to make the first move.
As the months go on, Truvi's normally vivacious personality disappears. She barely says two sentences to Noor in weeks, she brings her lunch, so she can stay at her desk, and not have to talk to Noor, and she starts wearing scarves and turtlenecks to work (to hide the neck bruises). One day, Truvi announces to Noor that she has found an apartment, away from Jake. Noor helps them move in; there are now five boys (the latest child is Jake's). Things are relatively stable, for a while.
Jake continues to demand his visitation rights, and the courts continue to agree with them. Bringing the boys over for one such court-mandated visit, Jake walks out of his condo, carrying a shotgun. He makes it clear to Truvi that he intends to use it. Demanding that Truvi open the car doors (everyone is still inside the car), Jake seems surprised when the police come and arrest him. Searching his condo, the police find a pigsty, a large arsenal of weapons and lots of Nazi paraphernalia. The police criticize Truvi for sending the children into such an atmosphere; she tells them, in no uncertain terms, that she had no choice. Now that Jake is in custody, is Truvi's nightmare over? Is this one of those stories that will end only when someone is dead?
This is very unpleasant, but very good, reading. The author does a really good job at putting a human face on a subject like domestic violence. It is very much recommended.
Set in present-day Boston, Truvi and her four boys are living with Jake, her boyfriend (two of the children are his). Noor, her friend and co-worker, is the recipient of several frantic, late night phone calls from Truvi saying that Jake is drunk (again), he has grabbed her by the throat, and pushed her against the wall, etc. Noor lets Truvi and her children live with her for a while. After some time, Truvi tells Noor that they are going back to Jake. Crying on the phone, Jake has promised to do better in the future. Noor tells Truvi that there will be no more rushing over to her place. If she wants to leave Jake, Noor will help her any way she can, but Truvi has to make the first move.
As the months go on, Truvi's normally vivacious personality disappears. She barely says two sentences to Noor in weeks, she brings her lunch, so she can stay at her desk, and not have to talk to Noor, and she starts wearing scarves and turtlenecks to work (to hide the neck bruises). One day, Truvi announces to Noor that she has found an apartment, away from Jake. Noor helps them move in; there are now five boys (the latest child is Jake's). Things are relatively stable, for a while.
Jake continues to demand his visitation rights, and the courts continue to agree with them. Bringing the boys over for one such court-mandated visit, Jake walks out of his condo, carrying a shotgun. He makes it clear to Truvi that he intends to use it. Demanding that Truvi open the car doors (everyone is still inside the car), Jake seems surprised when the police come and arrest him. Searching his condo, the police find a pigsty, a large arsenal of weapons and lots of Nazi paraphernalia. The police criticize Truvi for sending the children into such an atmosphere; she tells them, in no uncertain terms, that she had no choice. Now that Jake is in custody, is Truvi's nightmare over? Is this one of those stories that will end only when someone is dead?
This is very unpleasant, but very good, reading. The author does a really good job at putting a human face on a subject like domestic violence. It is very much recommended.
March 28, 2011
The goal of a short story is to leave the reader with long thoughts.
Ms. Rumzi's short story "It Could Happen Again" gets an A+ in that regards. The story is not humorous - not entertaining and not fun. It's subject is serious and when you finish reading it you're left with an emptiness knowing it not only could happen again - but does - over and over again. It's a benediction from the dark side of our society that lingers like the bitter taste of ozone following an electrical fire. The story is well written, giving instant life to the two characters and while waiting for the unexpected twist at the end - the reader discovers there is no twist - it's too real to have a twist - and that, in fact, is the twist. Should be read in the halls of Congress.
Ms. Rumzi's short story "It Could Happen Again" gets an A+ in that regards. The story is not humorous - not entertaining and not fun. It's subject is serious and when you finish reading it you're left with an emptiness knowing it not only could happen again - but does - over and over again. It's a benediction from the dark side of our society that lingers like the bitter taste of ozone following an electrical fire. The story is well written, giving instant life to the two characters and while waiting for the unexpected twist at the end - the reader discovers there is no twist - it's too real to have a twist - and that, in fact, is the twist. Should be read in the halls of Congress.
March 29, 2011
I found this well written
Ms Rumzi has brought us a story of abuse and the desperate decision a young mother needs to make, and the friend who stands by her. We hold our breath wondering can she make the right decision to leave the abuser before it is to late for her. The story also gives us a look at how society excepts it. A book for all to read.
Ms Rumzi has brought us a story of abuse and the desperate decision a young mother needs to make, and the friend who stands by her. We hold our breath wondering can she make the right decision to leave the abuser before it is to late for her. The story also gives us a look at how society excepts it. A book for all to read.
August 31, 2011
Once again, Sonia Rumzi has used her incredible talent to create a story that has worked its way deep into my heart.
This is a book about one ladies struggle to come to terms with the fact that she is married to an abusive man. Truvi knows her husband’s behaviour is wrong. But the fear of being left alone to bring up her children keeps her mind working on ways to accept and live with the abuse.
As with a lot of victims of abuse, Truvi has very little self esteem. She has been isolated and crushed by her husband and absolutely believes that she would not survive without him.
With the help of an older friend, Noor, Truvi come to find the courage she needs to leave her husband and start a new life for herself and her children. However things are never quite that simple in the real world.
What Sonia has so cleverly done in such a short time is to show how desperately difficult it is for a victim of abuse to extradite themselves from such a relationship.
I have so much respect for Sonia Rumzi. Her work is not only brilliantly crafted but honest, sensitive, gentle, respectful and above all it is designed to grant hope to those who have suffered at the hands of others.
Support this special lady and read her work, please. Sonia has an immense literary talent and is using it to help others.
This is a book about one ladies struggle to come to terms with the fact that she is married to an abusive man. Truvi knows her husband’s behaviour is wrong. But the fear of being left alone to bring up her children keeps her mind working on ways to accept and live with the abuse.
As with a lot of victims of abuse, Truvi has very little self esteem. She has been isolated and crushed by her husband and absolutely believes that she would not survive without him.
With the help of an older friend, Noor, Truvi come to find the courage she needs to leave her husband and start a new life for herself and her children. However things are never quite that simple in the real world.
What Sonia has so cleverly done in such a short time is to show how desperately difficult it is for a victim of abuse to extradite themselves from such a relationship.
I have so much respect for Sonia Rumzi. Her work is not only brilliantly crafted but honest, sensitive, gentle, respectful and above all it is designed to grant hope to those who have suffered at the hands of others.
Support this special lady and read her work, please. Sonia has an immense literary talent and is using it to help others.
August 31, 2011
I've just finished this wonderful short story after downloading it for free. The desperate and trapped lives of those suffering in silence from domestic abuse is a hard hitting subject; one which Rumzi tackles with great class and heartfelt sincerity.
A realistic short story that opens the door that many fight to keep shut. An inspiration to those in need to break free from the vicious cycle of domestic violence and do what is right for their family and themselves.
Great work!
A realistic short story that opens the door that many fight to keep shut. An inspiration to those in need to break free from the vicious cycle of domestic violence and do what is right for their family and themselves.
Great work!
August 31, 2011
Some men just don’t deserve to have families!
I found this book incredibly skilled and well written. Mrs Rumzi has an impressive talent with words and I would certainly be interested in reading more of her work.
I echo two previous reviewers. Great respect Ma’am!
November 8, 2011
A very quick read, you would not need more than an hour to finish it. Felt more like a blog entry or magazine article than an actual published short story. Editing could have been more crisp.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews