But when she came home that afternoon and told her husband, she was surprised, he suddenly became very attentive and loving and the beating stopped. All the way through the pregnancy he never laid a hand on her. She was happy again, hoping that this baby is what he needed to soften up. But after the baby was born, he started to show his colors again, but only towards her, not the baby, not little Evan. He looked to be safe. Eric was a completely different person when he was around his son. Tina was thankful for that, that he didn’t hurt Evan. She wouldn’t forgive herself if something happened to him. The months went by, Evan grew bigger day bay day. She brought him to school and he was becoming the class mascot, everybody loved him.

On the day of the premiere of their film, one of the worse beating took place before she left for school in the evening. She had organized that Evan was with the neighbor Ms. Sorenson. She and her husband had become good friends with Tina, not so much with Eric. The Sorenson’s had two children of their own, but they were now away at college. They were good people.

But the premiere night Eric wouldn’t let Tina leave. She pleaded with him as he knocked her down.

“Eric, please, you’re hurting me, please let me go. They depend on me. They will know something is wrong if I don’t show up tonight. I’ll be at the school, not the downtown pub.” Tina says.

“You are to come straight back here when you’re done. Okay?” Eric says as he gets off of her.

“I will.” Tina says as she carefully stands up and walks away into the bathroom. She turns on the hot shower and takes off her clothes. She’s already starting to bruise. Tears running down her cheeks. After ten minutes under the hot water she steps out of the shower and dries up. She notices red bruises all over her back and front and upper thighs. Her stomach is also hurting from one of his kicks. “Why can’t I leave him?” She thinks to herself as she continues to cry.
“What am I going to wear now. I have to cover myself up completely.” She thinks. After about 40 minutes she was ready to head out. She carefully put on her jacket, every movement hurts, but she holds it together and gets it done. She walks by Eric, who is now lounging on the couch, drinking his beer.

“Remember what I said. Straight back here when you’re done.” He slurs out, already beginning to get a little drunk. She only nods and head out, taking her car keys of the small table beside the door. She hurries outside and into her car, she drives fast towards the school. She is a little late, but she still have enough time before the showing. At the school auditorium the students greet her

“Hey Mrs. KC” They students greeted her.

“Hi kids, sorry I’m late. Had to get Evan to the babysitter… Are you guys excited?” She asks with a big smile.

“Yeah.” Everyone replied.

“Well you should be. You should be really proud of yourself. You’ve all done a great job on this. Why don’t you all give yourself a big hug and an applause.” She suggest. The students did what she suggested, but they brought her with them into the hug. She almost screemed out of pain when they pulled her into the hug. Tears started to drop. One of the students noticed.

“Mrs. KC are you okay?” She asks.

“Yeah, yeah I’m fine, I’m just so proud of you, these are happy tears.” She lied with a smile. “Why don’t you go inside and take a seat, I’ll be right there.” Tina says as she walks over to the toilets. She walks inside and into a stall. She thinks she’s alone and can’t help but start to cry again, out of pain. “Fuck.” She whispers. After a few minutes, she still can’t make the tears stop, everything hurts so much. She then hears another stall open. She closes her eyes and will the tears to stop one more time. This time they listened, at least for a few moments. She opens the door and walk out. There she meets the eye of a slightly taller brunette with a concerned face.

“Are you okay?” The brunette asks.

“Yeah, I’m fine.” Tina manages a weak smile.

“The reason you’re crying, is it because of the bruise on your neck?” The brunette boldly asks.

 tbc?