“I’m here tonight, not only to auction a lovely piece of jewelry that my grandmother is wearing, but also to share a personal story that demonstrates the impact that domestic violence can have on a family throughout the generations.”
The audience quieted. Elena stared out among them, finding Jake, and growing calmer as she discovered a reservoir of strength within her. “This story isn’t about jewelry or money. This is a story of abuse and repression and what one woman was forced to do to reclaim her life and her sanity. And what she did to protect and provide for her child. Her name was Sabeena.” She turned to her Grams. “And she was the mother of my grandmother, Lana.”
Her head held high, Lana nodded to her to continue.
“My great-grandmother Sabeena was born near Golconda, India in the
