Meet Belle

Entry Two

Sept. 14, 2015

I couldn't believe it. Mrs. Taylor did the unthinkable, she actually a...a...apo...apologized to me. Yesterday, I brought her afternoon coffee on time as promised. My head bowed all the way while I stood next to her waiting for her to finish so I could clean up when she's done. Nothing I ever did was right in the eyes of Mr. and Mrs. Taylor, so I wasn't surprised when I felt the burn of the hot coffee on my face because apparently, it was "too sweet". What surprised me was her shocked expression after her outburst and the regret that I think I saw in her eyes. She stood up, grabbed the towel on my hand, and wiped my face apologizing to me in a voice that couldn't be anything but caring.

To be truthful, I didn't exactly know what happened next, I was too shocked to pay attention to anything. My body went rigid, and my heartbeat was so fast.... afraid of any surprise attack that would make my burning face sting more. They wouldn't usually damage my face outside these four confining walls, we were seen as a perfect family and "the daughter of a perfect family" can never have bruises or cuts that can be seen by thousands of judgmental people.

When either Mr. or Mrs. Taylor ends up bruising my face, they don't apologize or have regret-filled eyes. Instead, they'd shout and say... "See what you made me do?". It usually is my fault. Sometimes I would forget myself and end up tripping in front of them or I'd prioritize my schoolwork over my chores. I don't blame them on those occasions, I should never forget myself and be klutzy. During those times, I wouldn't be allowed to leave the house until my wounds have completely healed, well it's not like I have a life outside of this house anyway. For me, this is my only place in the world, and this is where I belong.

The way that she'd treat me after that incident made me feel loved, hoping that they really were changing. I felt so happy that I barely felt any pain from the coffee burn. My face had a permanent smile on it, that I just knew it must've looked weird seeing how Mr. and Mrs. Taylor were looking at me.

Anyway, Mr. and Mrs. Taylor have been treating me differently since I got you. I wonder if they really do plan on finishing me off. Their treatment is like their way of showing me sympathy before I'm finally gone from their lives forever.

____________________________________________________________________________________POEM:

A snake has bit me

Poison running through my veins

I never knew it could be

They were my banes

I must be delusional

For I see them as a savior

Everything is so unusual

I can't understand their behavior

The hands that used to slap me

Are now giving me their care

The voices that used to scare me

Are now nothing like a bear

Their claws have shrunk

Their growls have grown tender

I wonder if their drunk

Maybe I'm practice and they wanna be a vender

I must not be poisoned

I must see through their lies

I must stop this poison

That seems to hear my cries

But their voices are so tender

And their hands so caring

Maybe it's not a mind bender

Maybe they are not uncaring

After all