The Penny Pub

Eddie's mantra was clear: "You're either on my team, or you're out." This bitter attitude characterized my stepfather, a man whose rage affected everyone around him. Despite being a celebrated professional baseball player and a national hero during WWII, his public persona masked a troubling reality.

Though he dazzled fans with his athletic prowess, Eddie was also known for his struggles with alcohol. His drinking habits didn't hinder his performance on the field, but whispers of his aggressive behavior towards umpires, friends, and family were common. I dismissed these rumors until he became a part of my life.

When Eddie entered our lives, my mother was eager for companionship after years of being single. Following a serious car accident, she felt fortunate that anyone would still find her appealing. His drinking and disdain for his Polish heritage were secondary concerns for her; all she wanted was a partner to help her navigate her later years.

I was twenty-three when they wed, and I wasn't thrilled about it. After years of being my mother's sole focus, I now felt replaced by this confident new figure who made her feel special again. Eddie was the complete opposite of my mother—strongly opinionated and extremely conservative. Had he lived in today's world, he would likely have been a staunch supporter of Trump. Eddie even believed the Holocaust was a fabrication, subscribing to a publication that echoed his extremist views.

My first encounter with Eddie during Thanksgiving was jarring. I had invited my girlfriend, thinking it would be accepted, but Eddie was already on his sixth beer when he targeted us.

"I don't like your kind," he spat at us, his voice dripping with disdain.

"Get out of here," he commanded, pushing us toward the exit.

Desperate for support, I looked to my mother, but she stood frozen, unwilling to confront Eddie. We left, and later, I was asked to apologize to him—despite my innocence in the matter.

Initially, I complied to maintain peace, not realizing this was the beginning of a series of encounters where Eddie's drinking would transform him into a menacing figure.

On good days, Eddie could be charming and engaging, even bonding with my partner, Erika, who shared his keen interest in finance. We played golf together and shared laughter. Yet, when alcohol entered the picture, the charming facade would shatter, revealing a man consumed by his prejudices.

During holidays, he often turned on my brothers, labeling them as "losers," despite one of them also battling addiction.

Eddie refused to admit his alcoholism and distanced himself from his Polish roots, having changed his name to escape scrutiny during a time of heightened discrimination against immigrants.

In 2000, after my mother passed away from lung cancer, I hoped for a deeper connection with Eddie as we navigated our grief together. Instead, he became increasingly hostile, making unreasonable demands regarding her estate and accusing me of being a terrible daughter.

With my mother gone, Eddie's behavior spiraled out of control, exacerbated by his drinking without her as a buffer. As I tried to manage her affairs, he turned his family against me, leaving me isolated and grappling with Eddie's unpredictable behavior. It's nearly impossible to reason with an alcoholic in denial.

Despite my efforts to remember Eddie fondly, his abusive actions overshadow those moments. I realized that I was no longer the naive young person who believed in the acceptance of my identity. Life can indeed be harsh and relentless.

The first video, "Escaping The Monster: Exposing Stepfather's Abuse," delves into the harrowing experiences of individuals who have faced similar situations, shedding light on the complexities of familial abuse.

In the second video, "MY ABUSIVE STEP-FATHER," the speaker shares their personal journey of overcoming the trauma inflicted by a stepfather, illustrating the emotional toll of such relationships.