No Visible Bruises: What We Don’t Know About Domestic Violence Can Kill Us

by Rachel Louise Snyder

“Give me one more chance. One more. Jail’s not worth it. This shit ain’t worth it.” “You’re blowing it out of proportion. I was just fucking with you. I wasn’t trying to kill you … Why you keep fighting me instead of helping me get outta here? Why ain’t you apologizing, too, for staying out all night?” “I am in love with you, bitch, and I wish I wasn’t, ’cause you’re putting me through fucking misery. Why you doing this to me?” “I don’t owe you no explanation … You done nothing but put me in jail. You ain’t sent no letters or pictures. I don’t care if you come to court on me. I ain’t calling you no more.” “You don’t got to come to court. They talk about me, you tell them to shut the fuck up. They lying to you. Just tell them you’re going to file for a dismissal. Don’t let the prosecutor give you another chance to come to court.” “You ain’t gotta sign. Don’t answer the door … I trust you. I don’t think you’re doing anything. You’re not dumb enough.” “Let’s go down there and make it official. I believe in marriage. It’s a commitment for life, dude … Wait till I get out. I have people watching you.”