Chapter Two - The Stunning & Unforgettable Princess Diana

I remember back in 1980, the first time I saw her and him, I was watching the interview of them as they walked and paused here and there on the Balmoral estate. That was when she was still, Diana Spencer, engaged to the Prince of Wales. (Not all princes are charming - sorry, had to get that out.) Of course, I didn't know that back then and sadly, neither did she. 

Anyway, I'm not even sure how I ended up on the channel that made me stop there to watch them, but they, or rather her - she was the one that made me put the remote control down. I was not familiar with either of them before this moment. A question that still makes me go hmmm is, why did I 18 years old, married -with regrets. Of course, by then, at that stage, there was nothing I could do about my life altering decision. So why then did I sit immobilized by her? Why did I look at her, as if I was looking into her eyes? As if we knew each other and were having a close, intimate conversation that no one else could hear. I'm saying that I had an almost instant attachment to her. I say that because from that day forward, I followed everything about her. It was as if I sensed somehow that, like me, she wasn't happy. Not with him. There was something about him that made me squint my eyes suspiciously and shake my head. 

But then, I thought - she's not like you. You're black and poor and uneducated. She was white, rich, and educated. Not to mention she was about to marry a Prince. So how in the world was there any relation between us at all? While I didn't know this prince, something about him made me feel he was cool, nonchalant. 

Again, how could I relate to her?

How in the world would she ever be able to relate to someone like me?

I wondered if we ever met, what would it be like.  

I was unhappy, and she was... well, she was smiling, while bashful, yet happy. 

Call me crazy, but I could see through it. I saw the sadness. You have to be it, to know it when you see it. And I saw it as clear as day. At the time, I thought - but what do I know. Just because I'm weeping in misery, am I projecting that on her? The fact that I was trapped, afraid, forced to adhere to my commitment, was there a need in me to attach that to Lady Diana Spencer? Then, they interviewed her inside, showing her engagement ring, and discussed love. And that so called Prince Charming said, "Whatever in love means."

Can I say, that my eyes widened in disbelief. He said that on TV - before one and all watching, and the look on her face, made me tear up. That's when I knew that I was right, and then this... and I wondered

why didn't her money, prestige and privilege get her out of this marriage? That was when I began to learn, that race, money means, wealth, prestige and privilege meant nothing when it came to very young women trapped in a marriage, they / we have mistaken for the answer to our happiness and peace. Viewing that man who would love us and be our everything. Of course, we would do all in our power to be his. That's when I latched on to following her. Hoping her HEA would be true. I wanted to see what HEA looked like, in hopes that mine would eventually come. 

Sadly, mine was not to be. While I went through absolute hell, I did survive it. But my imaginary friend, Princess of Wales... the TRUE Princess of Wales, did not survive her hell. We both, went through the humiliation of being cheated on. Treated like a charity they were forced to take on. Talked to and disrespected like one would do a purchased, "call girl or escort". 

Her disregard and disrespect came with extravagant gowns, bejeweled crowns and tiaras, body guards, fancy cars and castles. 

Mine came with weekend fights from a man who drank excessively, called me things he knew was not true, a few black eyes, busted lips, and time spent in domestic violence women shelters. With no means to go, or a place to escape to, I had to stay and fight it out. I had to teach him this black woman was not the type to curl up on a corner with her head covered, screaming, "Stooop," No, he got a fat lip here and there as well, a black eye too, a bottle busted upside his head, cheek bitten so bad he needed a tetanus shot. Yeah I did it, and he went to jail as well. Cuz when the police arrived, ain't no way I was going to say I ran into a door or knob. No, that was his fist. 

But I survived it. And here I am today, single, happy, a survivor. 

The stunning & unforgettable Princess Diana - mother of two sons, the better of the two, Prince Harry, she did not survive him, or them. 

I, at the time, was in such shock, I went in the ladies room at my job at the time, and sobbed for her. I could not believe it. I felt punched in the stomach, dizzy, like I wanted to throw up. Immediately this letter she wrote came to my mind - a letter that NO ONE paid any attention to.

It blows me away that THEY got away with this. That it was simply swept under the rug. That her driver was drunk! LIES - ALL OF IT! Lies! I despise the so called, BRF! And now, today I am 62 - and she would have been 63 if still alive, who of the two of us was better off? I still tear up if I think too much about her death. Her life. My life. The parallel. I do believe in GOD'S word the bible, and the scripture that says in Gal. 6:7, 

----Do not be misled: GOD is not one to be mocked. For whatever a person is sowing, this he will also reap. ---

Now, this day, I await this scripture to be fulfilled. And it will be so, John 5: 28,29...

---28 Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice 29 and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life, and those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgment.---

Now, I follow Prince Harry, Princess Rachel Meghan Susses - their two beautiful children. Diana would be so very proud. 

I'm Mercedes Keyes - comments are welcome, positive ones that is. Negative ones will be deleted, I don't allow negative in my world anymore.