YOU WOULD HAVE NEVER KNOWN I HAD SUCH A SECRET IF YOU HAD MET ME AT MY DAUGHTER'S SOFTBALL GAME, SOCCER PRACTICE, CHEERING AT A FOOTBALL GAME, A FAMILY GATHERING, MOTORCYCLE RIDING CLUB MEETING OR EVEN A TRIP TO THE GROCERY STORE. I HAD AN EVERYDAY LIFE OUTSIDE OF THE HOUSE. I COVERED UP THE SCARS, BRUISES AND PAIN.
I WALKED IN PLACES WHERE YOU WOULD HAVE NEVER GUESSED THAT THE NIGHT BEFORE HE THREATENED TO KILL ME. YOU WOULD HAVE NEVER EXPECTED THAT HE BEAT ΜΕ REGULARLY, THE FACT THAT I CARRIED BRUISES AROUND MY NECK ALL THE WAY TO MY FEET. OR THE FACT THAT I HAD STAYED FAR TOO LONG.
THE TORTURE THAT LAID BEHIND CLOSED DOORS. A TORTURE OF LIKING SOMEONE SO MUCH AND TRYING TO CHANGE THEM UNTIL 1 REALIZED THAT HE COULDN'T LEAVE A VIOLENT PAST BEHIND HIM OR THAT I WOULD NEVER BE ABLE TO "FIX" HIM. OR A PAST THAT I CAME TO LEARN OVER TIME, FAR AFTER THE ABUSE STARTED.
WE ALL HAVE SECRETS TO TELL INSIDE OF US, SECRETS THAT WE DON'T JUST TELL ANYONE. THIS IS MINE.
THIS BOOK IS FOR THOSE STRUGGLING, THOSE THAT DON'T SEE THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL. THERE IS A LIGHT.
THE TIME WILL COME WHEN YOU HAVE THE STRENGTH TO FIND A WAY OUT. I PRAY FOR YOU. I HAVE HOPE FOR YOU. THAT WHEN YOU DO ESCAPE, YOU WILL FACE FORWARD AND NEVER LOOK BACK.