All day long I have been fuming about this and I am glad that I waited to post it. I COULD BURN

[tblue]

14. Oh RV!!!!!!!

I'm about to cry, reading this. That poor woman! And the young man too. Oh dear heaven, WHY?????!!!!!

It could have been me. I was a battered wife and I feared for my life, but I got out of there before he did permanent damage--because my sister sensed what was up, and told me she was taking over, and moved me out and into her house. I was incredibly lucky, blessed, or whatever, that I had that kind of loving support. I wish everyone did. I wish the woman you wrote about had been able to get help before that MONSTER destroyed her.

When I was about 10 yo a weirdo in a convertible exposed himself to my friend and me. He asked us if we wanted a ride. We said no! and went running in the opposite direction. But I never told my parents because I thought somehow they'd blame me.

I'm not changing the subject. I don't know why some people are so twisted and so abusive toward women. (Actually, you and I probably do know what in our culture incites this violence and what makes certain men think it's an option, but that doesn't explain it really.) We can't change every sick, twisted individual who needs to be set straight, though we should never stop trying. But always we have to reach out to our sisters, and our abused brothers too, when we know or suspect they are not safe. Like my sister did for me. Many ways to intervene and help. Maybe we can talk about it.

I hope so much the two you wrote about recover, and soon. Please keep us updated.