by Roberta
(Rancho Santa Margarita, CA.)
I had never been exposed to abuse and believed the first time it happened to me that it was my fault. That is what he had told me. So I brushed it off and thought he had just lost his temper and he swore he would never touch me like that again. It was far from the truth and I was too embarassed to tell anyone because every time it occured I was told if I hadn't done this or that it wouldn't have happened. I learned to be obedient and not make him angry. I realized when I listened to what he was telling me to do everything was easier. Just like a child I waited for him to tell me what I should and should not do.