I met Imelda about 2 months ago. She is in her late 60's and is originally from Chile. As a Professor in a university ,she was a prime target to be taken as a political prisoner during Chile's tumultuous period in the early 1970's. For 9 months she was imprisoned as was her husband (who was a writer).They fled to England when they were granted the option to leave Chile.

After she came here she never went back to teaching. She took up various jobs to support her husband and 2 daughters. During this period she said that her husband was at home. He said he was depressed and she thought it was because he didn't have a job. So,while she was away working and her older daughter was at school, her husband abused their younger daughter. This went on for more than 5-8 years. He then went back to Chile as the political uncertainty had settled by then. He felt he could get back to his writing. Imelda didn't know about the abuse yet. After he left, her younger daughter who was 18 years old went into depression. Imelda thought it was due to usual adolescent problems. Her daughter recovered and got into college. Then came the plan to move back to Chile as Imelda's husband had 'set things up'. After many arguments her daughter finally told her she would never go to Chile. That's when the disclosure came out. As expected, Imelda was devastated.

She then wrote to her husband (she told me making phone calls to Chile were very expensive 8-9 years back). She demanded an explanation. He accepted all what she said. He went further and said that the impact of child abuse is different for boys and girls. As in, if a boy gets abused it has more harmful impact than if it for a girl. Girls 'don't really mind it'. Imelda said, at that instant she realised she was married to a paedophile. Her husband is dead now. Before he died he did meet his younger daughter. He had remarried by then. She expressed her anger but he never said sorry or express remorse. Now, the younger daughter is in a relationship where her boyfriend misuses her. Imelda told me she worries about her constantly.

But, Imelda herself is an inspiration. She is now investing all the time she gets into reading philosophy and learning creative writing. She told me she realised how much she missed academia. She has decided that she wants to leave behind the story of her life for her grandchildren ( her older daughter has kids). She told me that it was only after her husband died that she realised that stories have to be told. Otherwise, they will be forgotten...which would be a shame.

We have been chatting for awhile before she told me about her younger daughter. we used to talk about Pablo Neruda and Isabel Allende. But,when she did tell me about what had happened,it blew me away. It was very intense. I couldn't deal with the sadness her story filled me with. It has taken me more than week to put it in words. But,later I began to appreciate her strength.But, I just keep wondering how her daughter will eventually turn out to be...
PS: I have changed all facts which may lead to possible identification of people in this blog.