My boyfriend was listening closely over Skype, worrying about my safety. My father was going ballistic--screaming at my mother that the physical abuse never really happened. They both walked out of my view finally after hours of exhausting arguing. It’s over, I thought. Then I heard, my mother scream, “Don’t!” I ran in a hurry into the room, afraid he was going to hurt her again. As soon as I saw him attempting to put the illegal handgun together, threatening to shoot himself, I ran back to my room and asked my boyfriend what to do: should I call 911 or not? I was worried that once I called, my dad would be back in no time to unfairly punish me for turning in my very own flesh and blood. My boyfriend finally convinced me to call, which was scary because I was so anxious my father would hear me whispering on the phone in the dark and punch me in the face as hard as he could, making me …show more content…
When it’s been like this for so long, you don’t remember how else it could be. How could an emotionally abused child know about anything else? Hollywood portrays positive relationships between parent and child--but you’re told no real family is like that. Experiences such as my father killing my kitten is something that most children don’t see, but that was something that has since made me afraid of all that he was capable of.
I remember being so excited to enter into middle school because, for whatever reason, I thought the yelling, scrutinizing, and manipulation would stop then. That’s not how it went though--it continued then got even worse in high school. It was hard for me to concentrate, complete my work, or even believe in myself. It’s hard to imagine you can do well in school when the man you’re supposed to look up to is continually telling you that you’re inadequate. I was constantly criticized over things I could not control. I was forced to be strong, caring for and protecting my three younger