Cinderella

Once upon a time
there was a girl in her 20's
She was generally happy
with friends and a decent job
but she wanted to be loved
(like many girls in their 20's are longing for)

Her friends all had boyfriends
and she felt like the lonely ugly step sister.
Her self confidence a bit low
so she grasped on to what she could.

He was the typical bad boy
who gave her attention
and made her feel special

So what could it hurt?

She had a scheduled Saturday night date
and late night phone calls
and long stemmed roses being sent to her workplace; just because.

The step sister became Cinderella
but with a heavy price to pay

Because she knew the bad boy was just that

But what could it hurt?
She wasn't going to marry this boy.
He knew that.
It was an understanding.
This was all just for fun.

Until it wasn't fun.

Because the bad boy had a drug problem.
And a child.

And Cinderella was soon playing therapist and step mom and rehab counselor
She was a daughter in law (that wasn't)
She was the saving grace in a messed up family
She was the one who they felt was going to hold this bad boy up.

It got to be too much for Cinderella.
She no longer wanted part of this story
 Their Sunday night dinners
and their family holidays..
She didn't want to be a part of a rehab process
over and over again.

Her wallet was empty
(money was being stolen)
Lies were being told
He was high and she didn't even know it.

This was no fairy tale
and by no means was a fairy godmother going to bibbity bobbity boo anyone into a Prince.

It got ugly for Cinder.
She broke up with him but the drugs made him even more wicked.
She became fearful
He became stalker-y.
(Never in person. But on the phone. Constantly)
(To her parents. To her. To her work place)

At some point
it stopped.
And she thanked God.
Literally.

And she was never sure what happened to make it stop.
Did he move on to another target?
Did the drugs take over?
And what happened to the little boy?

He haunted her for years.
But only in her mind.

Even when she married her true Prince Charming.
And lived safely and happily ever after.

It was a part of her she couldn't shake.

In 2017 she learned he died.

She didn't shed a tear.
She did not have any sadness.

Only relief.

And the moral of the story is-
you are better than that
you are more worthy

never settle for anything less than what you deserve

and you deserve the best.

PS- Cinder is currently living happily ever after with her real Prince Charming