Forty million adults have some form of anxiety. Only thirty-seven percent seek treatment for it.
Anxiety can show itself in many forms. Two common ways are depression and low self-esteem. Your everyday worries do not mean you suffer from anxiety. Logical worries may not be anxiety. Thoughts like having enough money to buy presents may not be serious anxiety. If you worry about not getting time off from work to take a trip or go to a concert, it may not be serious anxiety.
Thoughts of doom and gloom at every turn with or without facts is getting into anxiety. And if you or someone you know have anxiety, you may want to get it treated.
This story is about Kristin Powell. This is also a story about an unusual relief of anxiety. Kristin had a unique way of dealing with her anxiety. Instead of me telling you more, go ahead and read the story. I hope you enjoy it.
KRISTIN POWELL WALKED INTO the family room. The doorbell had rung. She had a good idea who the visitor was. Today she would be ready for anything that came her way.
Mary Powell, Kristin’s Mother, rushed by Kristin on her way to the door. She had the same nervous energy that she had this time of year. The holiday season was here. There was so much for Mary to do. Relatives would need a place to stay as they came and went. The house would need cleaning every day. Some days twice a day. And good luck getting a housecleaner that time of year.
The thought of anyone criticizing Mary’s house or decorations was unacceptable to her. It would send shock waves of embarrassment through her. Decorum and attitudes had to be at their best for everyone in her family. That included Kristin, her eighteen-year-old.
Kristin often made herself the brunt of family jokes. At least, that was how her family saw it. She refused to wear contacts. That always brought unnecessary attention to her. Add to that, she wore wide square black-rimmed glasses. Some relatives called her Bug. Her clothes were never up to date. She wore matronly dresses with pastels. They were low-cut and drew attention to her large breasts. It only added to her teasing.
Mary and Leonard, Kristin’s father, did everything to help her get it together. They even employed Kristin’s sister, Belle, to help straighten her out. Kristin needed to learn how to conform. It made life easier to live and cope with.
Belle had learned the lesson of coping early in life. She attended one of the best colleges in the country. A top law firm hired her right out of college. Kenny, her husband, was employed by a big company. They blended into corporate life. It was not always smooth sailing. Most people were not born to raise a ruckus. And there is no need for most people to take unnecessary chances. Kristin just needed to learn to get along.
Mary grabbed the doorknob and glanced over her shoulder. Kristin stood eight feet from her and slightly off of her right hip. Mary squinted at Kristin. The message was clear. Do not embarrass me today with your shenanigans.
Usually, that look Mary gave Kristin would keep Kristin in her place. But something strange about Kristin grabbed Mary’s attention. It was so strong that Mary did not open the door. She was fixated on Kristin. The visitors rang the doorbell again.
Kristin wore a green corduroy dress with a red blouse under it. Her hands were on her hips. A pair of wedge heels were on her feet. A never seen stare of defiance was on her face.
Mary’s lower lip trembled. Her hand began to sweat to the point that the doorknob slipped from it. Her eyes were filled with fear. They were begging Kristin not to do whatever was on her mind. Don’t Do It!
Kristin smiled. Mary swallowed and opened the door.
A six feet two-inch man wearing a green sports jacket and tan pants stood in the doorway. Behind him was a mouse of a woman in a red dress. The married couple was Limon and Rose Dally. Rose was Mary’s sister. Limon was the arrogant brother-in-law and uncle. He was a VP at a large manufacturer and thought he was special.
Limon stepped inside with Rose in tow. He took Mary by both shoulders and kissed her on the cheeks. Rose waited for her turn to hug Mary. Everyone in Mary’s family believed Limon wanted to get in her pants. All he was waiting for was the right moment. It was shocking that Mary did not notice it. It was also possible that she did not want to see it.
After kissing Mary and fondling her shoulders, Limon’s eyes went straight to Kristin. Kristin would usually turn away from his gaze. Not today. Today was different. She held her stare on him.
Limon gave a gentle tug to his belt and approached Kristin. Belle, Kenny and their two children had come into the family room too. They were behind Kristin.
Limon reached out to hug Kristin. She extended her arm. Her hand caught him in the chest. The room went quiet. Limon straightened. He was shocked at the rebuff. That adolescent girl rebuffed him? Who was she? He was a top executive. That was not going unpunished. This year he was planning to cut her some slack. She could forget it now.
Limon heard the door close and turned to see his two adult children standing there. He turned back to Kristin. “What are you supposed to be with that get up on?” Limon asked her.
Kristin looked around at her father. He had a stupid sheepish smile on his face. Not sure how to respond to a man readying to bully his daughter. Mary had looked away to save herself from a complete meltdown. Belle and Kenny were quiet behind her. None of the others had guts either.
“I don’t know,” Kristin said. “Why don’t you tell me?” She could hear people swallowing. Her five feet three-inch frame was just as tough as he was.
The stunned expression on Limon’s face was more intense than a minute ago. He looked Kristin over. “I would say you look like last year’s beat-up Christmas tree,” Limon said. “Something someone tossed out.”
Everyone in the room laughed out of nervousness. They knew what to do to help an eighteen-year-old girl who was being bullied by a fifty-year-old man. But they were cowards and feared not fitting in.
Kristin looked around the room and back at Limon. Smack!
Limon jerked back and grabbed his face. Everyone gasped. No one, including Limon, saw Kristin’s hand come up.
“How dare you?” Limon said. “You little bitch.”
Smack! Kristin had hit him on the other side of his face.
Quiet took over the room. Then gasps followed the quiet. Everyone was watching what was happening. But no one could believe it was happening. No one.
Kristin had pulled up her long dress above her knees. Her right foot was up in the air and to the rear. It stretched back like a spring was connected to it. Then it released and snapped forward. Her foot made a “thud” as it struck Limon between the legs.
Limon gasped, grabbed his crotch, bent over, and fell to the floor.
For a few seconds, no one moved except for Kristin. She walked over and stood over Limon. His face was red. Drool was coming from his mouth.
“Uncle Limon, I have an IQ of over 145,” Kristin said. “I’m smarter than you. And I no longer have a self-esteem problem. I’ve been working on that with a therapist. And I realized I’m no longer afraid of people. Not because of my IQ. But because I learned that I needed to be myself. I needed to…”
Mary took Kristin by the shoulders.
“Get off of me,” Kristin said and snatched away from her and stared at her. “Clearly, no one here was going to do anything about this ugly bully. I’ve had it with him. My therapist taught me how to build my self-esteem. One of the lessons was crucial.” Other family members were helping Limon to his feet. “She suggested I face my tormentor.” Limon was in the chair and still trying to catch his breath. “And you know what? It feels good, Uncle Limon.”
I hope this was good for you.
Build a strong self-esteem.
Try to avoid the violence, though.
Have a great week.
Stephen Wallace
Stephen Wallace 