Hardly Justice

An innocent sip
too late
awareness dawns –
spiked!
Nausea rolls in
room spins
assailant offers
a hand, a ride,
the regal miss
shakes her head
wobbles, hand
held out warns
to no avail –
vomit sprays
victorious spew
depraved perp’s
plot thwarted.

(Unfortunately based on a true story. Even though she and her friends watched each other’s drinks, the bartender was in on the ploy. Thank God my daughter escaped further harm. Women shouldn’t have to worry about this on a night out.

Written for dVerse pub where De Jackson is hosting with the prompt ‘spike’. Also linking up with Ragtag Community – spray; and Fandango – regal.)

Published by

VJ

Permission to write, paint, and imagine are the gifts I gave myself when chronic illness hit - a fair exchange: being for doing. Relevance is an attitude. Humour essential.

88 thoughts on “Hardly Justice”

  2. I’m so glad your daughter is OK–and the vomit on the horrible man is a bonus. A young woman at the gym who saw the books I’ve written told me just a few months ago that she had been raped. Someone who was not a stranger spiked her drink–she has no memory of what happened after she got into a car with him. Of course, there are plenty of people who take advantage of incapacitated people without spiking their drinks–and that’s actually more common.

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Every day I wonder what is wrong with people…I don’t understand where these destructive impulses come from. As with everyone above, I’m glad your daughter escaped. I know several of my friends that did not when we were young and trusting. And of course back then no one ever reported it. (K)

    Liked by 1 person

  11. What a chilling story, V.J. Thank goodness for that “victorious spew”! I hope that both the would-be perp and the bartender are in jail now.

    Liked by 1 person

  19. A different take on the prompt, V.J., that drives an important warning home! Back in my university days, I knew of a girl whose drink was spiked with LSD – she never returned from her trip. I’m so glad the girl in your quadrille managed a ‘victorious spew’! I agree with Reena.

    Liked by 1 person

  20. This is an excellent retelling, a concise picture of a horrid scene. Sharp, brutal and to the point. Great writing.

    On the other hand, I got a chill when I read it was a true account. A parent’s worse fear. So glad for the ending.

    Liked by 1 person

  22. Well written horror, and I’m so glad your daughter escaped “worse”…I watch so many true-crime shows, and this is a common scenario these days. Too much evil out there…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yes. On the other hand, another young man, who saw it all happen, came to the girls rescue and escorted the girls home safely and stayed with the to make sure my daughter was safe.

      Liked by 1 person

  26. I can’t like this one. I love the form and the storytelling, but not the content. As one father to another, I know you understand why… It has nothing to do with your poem. I’m sorry for your pain, your child’s experience, and that people tried to hurt your family.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I do understand – except I’m the Mom. ‘Like” is not the right response. Still , the message needs to be out there. Sadly, the problem only seems to escalate. I don’t know how we change it.

      Like

      3. I have always thought the only reasonable response to sexual violence is for others to stand up and say “no.” In both example and word, I have never encouraged such behavior. I keep hoping that makes the world a better place for my three daughters. I can’t speak about raising a son, but I have tried to teach my kids that they deserve better and should be as careful as possible while passing the message on to their kids.

        Liked by 1 person

      5. Indeed. One of my favorite quotes references the words of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: “The arc of the moral universe is long but it bends towards justice.” A friend was once reading the news with me at a retreat and said “That’s it. I’m getting my level. This arc is bending like the flatlands.”

        Liked by 1 person

  31. Horrific event. I hope she called the police and action was taken. No one should have to worry about that on a night out. My son’s friend had his drink drugged. He ended up in hospital.

    Liked by 1 person

  37. Oh my goodness, VJ. This is horrific. I dread the day my daughter is old enough to drink. I hope that bartender got not only fired, but arrested. Excellent storytelling here, even though the subject matter leaves me chilled to the bone.

    Liked by 2 people

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