Even after several escape attempts, Trent found a way to bring her home, and then give her a beating commensurate with her crime. Finally, after chasing Jessica into the parking lot of the local police department, he was caught, arrested and locked away. He got eight months.
Nearly two and a half years later, Jessica was working 12-hour days and caring for their son alone. She had moved on with her life and Trent was permanently in her past, even though she had to accommodate him whenever he wanted to see their son, which wasn’t very often.
One day, Trent called to say that he was sorry that he hadn’t kept up on contributing financially to their son, but had been saving money. “Can you come by to get it?” he asked.
With her bank account and refrigerator empty, she agreed. It was the worst decision she could have made.
The attack on Jessica was the most brutal and depraved yet. She found herself walking into a police station to report the crime, as if her body was doing it without her mind. “I’ve been raped,” she told the captain, with a long stare.
Trent didn’t even try to run. He received 29 years.
Over the next six years, Jessica’s soul was an open sore that she tried to comfort with as much sexual activity as she could. It started out exciting. In the end, it disgusted her. Yet she knew nothing else.
Her son’s mentor, a nice guy who was frequently at their apartment, noticed her destructive lifestyle and felt compelled to step in. He was also falling in love with her.
After making a nuisance of himself, he finally convinced her to go on a date with him and on the second one, he took her to church. The Jewish girl who was only in a Christian church because she felt she was falling in love, found herself falling in love with someone else. It was the heavenly Father presented in the pastor’s message.
She opened her heart to Jesus. Finally, Jessica had a Father’s love that she had always sought. That’s when she heard a voice. “All the pain you’ve been through, I’m going to use it to bless others,” it said.
She looked around and behind her to find out who had said it. There was no one. She heard it again. “All the pain you’ve been through, I’m going to use it to bless others.”
* * * * *
“Heavenly Father,” Marlene prayed, “we know there are so many who need a touch from you for all the pain they are experiencing by their abuser. Please, move mightily in this room tonight. Bring us the women to fill these chairs so that we may fill them with your powerful hope. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
As Jessica looked up, a woman walked in. Then another. And another. By 7:05 p.m., 68 women had crowded the little room. Jessica looked back at all the women who had walked out of their neighborhoods to seek the help they hoped Jessica could offer. Suddenly, she had a new purpose. And she knew, with all those faces staring back at her, that something momentous was happening. A societal nerve had been struck.
POSTSCRIPT
In the last seven years, H.E.A.L.I.N.G., Jessica’s ministry, has been a much-needed support group for victims of domestic violence, as one in four women have experienced abuse. She has counseled more than 7,000 women and children, assisting many to find lives apart from violent homes. H.E.A.L.I.N.G. groups now meet in New York, Michigan, Arizona and California. Jessica brings her expertise and passion to universities, churches, corporations and community groups around the country advocating for awareness, prevention and steps for change. Her memoir, Mine Until: My Journey Into and Out of the Arms of an Abuser, is available from Amazon.com.
Find out more about Jessica at JessicaYaffa.org
