I was mistaken in thinking that I was unique
and alone in this situation.
One in three American women
experiences domestic violence or stalking at some point in her life,
and the CDC reports that 15 million children
are abused every year, 15 million.
So actually, I was in very good company.
Back to my question:
Why did I stay?
The answer is easy.
I didn't know he was abusing me.
Even though he held those loaded guns to my head,
pushed me down stairs,
threatened to kill our dog,
pulled the key out of the car ignition as I drove down the highway,
poured coffee grinds on my head
as I dressed for a job interview,
I never once thought of myself as a battered wife.
Instead, I was a very strong woman
in love with a deeply troubled man,
and I was the only person on Earth