More About Claude

Dear Priscilla Bennett Friends,

I hope you’re all well and looking forward to getting some rest and relaxation over the weekend. This morning Harry and I took Reilly to the vet for a booster shot. He didn’t even feel it—not a whimper. The vet gave us a new medication for the fleas and ticks—chewable little pill—so much better than squeezing that liquid on his back every month. After we finished, I dropped Harry and Reilly off at home, so I could do my grocery shopping. I got Harry his favorite ham and old-fashioned butter bread for his sandwiches. Then I stopped off at the bakery and picked up his honey buns. He eats those and washes them down with a glass of milk that he’s filled with ice cubes—he likes his milk cold. I’ve put everything away, Reilly is sleeping on his bed, Harry is pruning the shrubs outside and I’m writing my blog.

Back to the Claude character, and how he grew in my head. Working in the emergency room, I heard so many stories from the abused women about what their abusers said and did—I made more lists of what I wanted the Claude character to include—he beats her then tells her he loves her. He denies it happened and says she’s overreacting. He has financial control over all the money and property. He also needed to have some positive qualities—highly intelligent, educated, disciplined and hard working. Slowly, he began to take shape. The more I wrote down words, phrases, sentences and thoughts, the easier it was to fit some of the pieces of the puzzle together.

Thank you, my Priscilla Bennett Friends, for listening and for all your support. Please visit my website at www.priscillabennett.com and read this blog, make a comment, write your own story and get helpful information. Remember the Priscilla Bennett Pledge to help someone by starting a conversation, giving a kind word in the grocery store or parking lot—a touch on the shoulder. We all have SOMETHING TO BE BRAVE FOR.

Take good care of yourselves,

PRISCILLA BENNETT XOXO