That thing about couples who fight just for the make-up afterward? It’s true for abused spouses too. Before Eli, I saw the fights with Frank as a way for him to prove he cared about me and felt remorseful. That his efforts in making it up to me were his way of showing his care or regret for what he’d done. I held onto the hope that his moments of kindness would turn into something more, and the abuse would stop. It’s possible for someone to break you, destroy your spirit, and still offer you enough kindness to keep you in a constant state of confusion and hope. This has been my life for nearly
...more
