A Light Between Darkness

No one knows what occurs behind closed doors. There are many cries in the dark that no one can hear. Sometimes entire communities ignore what they see or accept outright abuse without lifting a finger. When family members or an entire town refuse to act, they are all guilty of negligence as reminders that abuse can only stop when people who have the ability to act do so. Terrible acts of violence can be prevented when individuals remove their blinders or ear plugs to provide help when needed.
Jimmy, was such a victim and it could have been worse had it not been for his mother. She herself had experienced abuse and eventually scummed to a life of compliance. Faced with threats and physical abuse could make anyone fearful to run and hide. What saved Jimmy was more then his wit or character, it was his love of family. Her attempts to protect him when as far as placing him under the care of her parents at the farm for a few months at a time.
The fact that he had an uncle, just a few years older than Jimmy, made Jimmy's stay at the farm the core of his humanity. Jimmy was not a perfect child but a kid with a good heart. Both Tommy and Jimmy never expected to hear the story of John the Dom but grandma had to tell it because time was running out for Jimmy. She had a way of telling the story that captivated Jimmy and mentally transported him to a far away place.
Like Jimmy, John faced a difficult life, an orphan without parents. There was no one to help guide him but there was a system that was ready to destroy him. Yet, unlike Jimmy, his parents loved him. John was street wise, strong and fearless. He too had a good heart and was ready to forgive offenses. John lived in a world different than Jimmy's but with people who could be just as vicious as in Jimmy's world.
Jimmy needed to conquer his fears of the dark, fears of his father, fears of being dislike and fears of the unknown. Grandma provided a light between the darkness of despair in a story she about a boy similar to Jimmy. He only had a short period of time to become a different person before he returned home to face the monster there. Mother wouldn't always be there to protect him but perhaps if the story was right, he could stand up against a tyrant and be the John Dom he could be.
The world is very dark and very few lights to lead the way. When we find those lights, treasure them, protect them so that when the time comes we too can be the light between the darkness.