Bruises Keep Secrets
They ask me why couldn’t you get out sooner?
Some secrets aren’t meant to be kept. I’ve never told anyone this story until now. It’s not easy to run away when you’re injured. I’ve ruptured every ligament in my left ankle so badly that I can’t bear weight on it without wincing.
This means I can’t work, and lose my job because of my injury, further isolating myself. It’s not easy to leave a bad situation when you’ve lost everything: your job, friends, and family keep telling you that since you married this person, they now own you. They can do whatever they want to you, and you should just put up and shut up about a bad situation.
No one wants to hear about the battered woman’s perspective without the commentary of “Why didn’t you get out sooner?”
No one understands how when someone abuses their victim, they will separate them from friends and family. My family and friends were back in another state where I had spent most of my life. I’m known for my big personality, my intimidating persona that generally lets people know not to fuck with me.
But when the man who chooses to hurt you outweighs your body by over one hundred pounds, there isn’t any way to escape.
