This petition is for all survivors of abuse at the hands of a narcissist and for all open-minded individuals who can empathize with my story. 

I left my husband twenty days ago.  As those of you who have been in a relationship with a narcissist know, it is very hard to see what is happening clearly while you are in it.  Since I left, I have had many repressed memories come flooding back to me. 

Specifically, a story of us arguing through Boston Logan Airport and my husband grabbing my arm.  I quickly went to the Women's Restroom to get away from him.  I was washing my hands when a stranger next to me asked if I was alright, referring to the grabbing of the arm incident she had witnessed.  I told her "I'm fine my husband and I just get into arguments sometimes."  When I walked out of the restroom there were two male by-passers who had also witnessed the incident.  They were standing outside of the restroom with their arms crossed, making sure my own husband stayed away from me.  They looked incredibly concerned for me and asked me if I was okay. They were clearly very upset by what they had witnessed.  I quickly dismissed their concerns and went to catch up with my husband so I could tell him that it's not okay for him to grab my arm in public places.

I firmly believe that he was very close to bringing the abuse to a physical level beyond shoving and grabbing.  About one week before I left, he got in my face and screamed at the top of his lungs "Park Bench" which is the safety word we learned in couple's therapy.  I stood my ground, which he did not like.  He called his mother immediately after this incident and said "She is baiting me mom; she wants me to hit her"

His behavior has always been there, but it has been quickly escalating from January 2025, on.  He had me in therapy, convinced I was depressed and anxious, and that all of our relationship issues were because of me.  Reading back old texts of him calling me "miserable and sick" and I respond by apologizing and asking him to hold on a little bit longer while I work on myself so I can be a better partner to him.

My relationship felt like constantly walking on eggshells, never knowing what emotional landmine I was going to step on.  Again, you can't see it when you're in it, all you know is that you are very sad and anxious.  Sad because he is mean to you.  And anxious because you never know what is going to set him off.  

Simply being yourself is very upsetting to him.  Anything you do, he wants you to do the opposite.  There is no trust, even though you have done nothing but be a loving and faithful partner throughout your relationship.  There is constant gaslighting, belittling and shame.  They call everyone they know to convince the people around them that you are the crazy one.  And they tell you it so much, and their pain place is so real, that you believe it too.

I am so glad I finally got myself out.  The day I left, I took emergency PTO from work and quickly packed up my bags while my husband followed me around the house berating me the entire time.  He also wanted to make sure that I didn't take our shared dog, Hamilton.  He locked me out of our room making it impossible for me to grab clothes and other essentials I needed.  I took our dog Benson, left to drive 8 hours to my friend's house and was forced to leave Hamilton behind.  The one thing I will always regret is not planning my departure more secretly so I could have taken Hamilton along with Benson and me.

Hamilton is the sweetest, 3 year-old, long haired dachshund.  He is my shadow.  Everywhere I go, he goes whether it's standing outside the tub while I take a bubble bath or sitting on the porch swing together while I read, he's always there with me.  He is the biggest snuggle bug and has no concept of personal space.  While laying down, he was always laying right by my head or right on my chest as close to my face as he could possibly get.  When I pet him, he makes the sweetest purring noises that I've only heard cats make before.  He is so special in every way, and I miss him so much that I can feel my heart physically breaking when I think of never seeing him again.

Hamilton is an anxious puppy.  I've never been away from him for more than a week.  I am sure he is worried about me and wondering where I am.  Hamilton also has an older brother, an 8 year-old dachshund, named Benson.  Hamilton and Benson have never been separated for more than one hour since we brought Hamilton home 3 years ago.  They are very much a bonded pair.  Benson has been very sad and reserved since I took him away from his brother.  The boys need to be together so they can be happy and whole again.

Legally, my husband paid for Hamilton, so I have no rights to him.  My only hope is that my petition garners enough support to bring Hamilton back into my life.  Help me get Hamilton back where he belongs, with me and with his brother Benson.  Hopefully if this is successful, which I still have hope that it will be, I can write an update on this petition saying that all 3 of us (Benson, Hamilton and I) are back together and that "It Ends With Us"

Thank you.