Chapter Three
Leaving an Abusive Home: Fear, Grief, and Loss
Deciding to leave can be very difficult. Chapter Three attempts to convey a sense of how hard it is to keep things in perspective when being affected by a violent, controlling abuser, and to help the victim envision a way out.
For twelve years Tom has been telling Sheila that she can't make it on her own; he has threatened to kill her; he has threatened to take the children... When Sheila's children beg her not to leave for fear of her being killed, this is the time for her to pull together all the strength she has inside...
A great burden is lifted when the family moves out to a shelter, but there is also tremendous grief for the children over the loss of a parent. They still need and love both parents, even the one who is violent and abusive.
Brandon and Jennifer feel so happy and free. They can talk at dinner, they can laugh, they can eat without feeling fear... But Jennifer feels sad and lonely, she misses Daddy picking her up, kissing her and saying, "How's my little princess?"... Brandon gets mad at Sheila more often now. He says things like, "Where's Dad? You can't throw the baseball as good as him. I miss Daddy. Can't we go home?"
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