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Chapter 17

Later that night, Michael and I are laying on the bed. "Carly, I am so sorry for not being there so soon," he apologized. "It's alright. You didn't know what was going on at first," I said, "I deserved to get hurt anyways."

"You don't deserve to get hurt," he said, "Why would you think that?" "Because I was already hurt enough," I answered. "Why?" Michael asked, "Tell me."

"Because...." I took a deep breath. "When I was little, like maybe five years old, my dad would abuse me so much for almost no reason. He would abuse me physically, mentally, and emotionally. He almost killed me once." "What happened?" Michael asked.
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~Carly's Flashback- 2003~

I'm walking home from school with Matthew, who is 11, and Mariah, who is 15. Well, here goes another day with Daddy. I love him very much, but he hits me a lot for no reason. "I'm scared," I said. "Of what?" Mariah asked.

"Of Daddy," I answered, "I'm afraid he will beat me again." "What did you do?" Matthew asked. "I got sent to the principal's office," I said. When we got in our yard, I stopped and sighed.

"Here I go," I said and went inside. I see Daddy standing there in the living room. "Carly, I got a call from school today telling me that you got into a little fist fight," he said, "Why?" "Because a couple of boys in my class were being mean to Michael Jackson," I answered.

"Seriously?" Daddy asked, "A fight over that? Michael Jackson is nothing but an ugly, useless son of a bitch, just....like....you." I can't handle this insult any longer. I slapped Daddy in the face, and he got so mad.

"Uh-oh," I said. I tried to run, but he pushed me down and started hitting me. He slapped me, punched me, and kicked me. Mariah and Matthew came downstairs and saw Daddy beating me. "Mariah, Matt! Help!" I yelled.

"Ok," they said in unison and pulled Daddy off. "Leave her alone!" Mariah yelled. I'm left on the floor, and I could barely breathe. Daddy started walking to his room and said, "I hope you die, bitch." He went in his room.

"Are you okay, Carly?" Matthew asked. "No...." I said, barely audible. "I'll call the ambulance," said Mariah, "Mom should be there." She picked up the phone and called 911.

A few minutes later, she hung up. "They're on their way," she said. "Ok," I said. A minute later, I blacked out.
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An hour later, I woke up in the hospital. "Oh, thank God you're alive!" Mommy exclaimed. "Mommy, what happened to me?" I asked. "Well, you have two rib fractures and a broken nose," she explained. "Am I gonna die?" I asked, with fear in my eyes.

"No," she answered, "The injuries aren't bad enough to kill you, but you have to stay here for a couple months for them to recover." "Ok, Mommy," I said.
~End of Flashback~
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"What happened then?" Michael asked. "About two months have passed, and my ribs and nose were finally healed," I explained, "A year later, Mom filed for a divorce with Dad because he found out about all the things he did to me. Before then, she didn't know how I kept getting hurt; He usually beat me when she's not home. I know she probably sensed something was wrong, though."

I started to cry. "I sometimes cry in my sleep and have nightmares," I said. "Oh, come here," Michael said. He hugged me, and I started sobbing on his shoulder. "Shhhh, it's okay," he comforted, "Don't cry."

He starts to sing Smile.

Smile, though your heart is aching.
Smile, even though it's breaking.
When there are clouds in the sky, you'll get by.
If you smile with your fear and sorrow,
Smile, and maybe tomorrow,
You'll find that life is still worthwhile.
If you just smile.

"Wow," I said, sniffing, "That's beautiful." "Thanks," he said, "You feel better?" "Yeah," I answered, "Thanks."

"No problem," he said, "Goodnight." "Goodnight," I said. We both went to sleep.