I'm a Survivor: A Carol Peleteir Story

Chapter 1 "Pilot"

"Hey, Carol." my friend, Miranda said, walking into my home, after knocking.

"Hey, Miranda." I smiled, chopping up some veggies for when I pick Sophia up from school. "You're off today?"

"Yep!" She smiled, and walked into the kitchen, looking at me, with a face of worry. "Did Ed do this to you?" She gently took hold of my arm, and as she did, a throbbing pain came through my body.

"Don't touch it!" I said, and pulled my arm back, tears running down my face. pure silence entered the house, as we exchanged looks.

"Sorry..." I bit my lip, trying to hold in the tears, but failed. "I need a sweater..." I walked into my room, grabbing my white cardigan. Miranda walked in the room.

"You need to take you, and your little girl -- and you need to leave this poor drunk on his lonesome. Does Sophia get hit like you?"

Those words smacked me in the face, my heart shattered into pieces as a lump in my throat stopped me from speaking. I looked down, as tears ran down my cheeks. "I need to get Sophia..." I slowly scurried out of the house, with Maria following me.

"Wait, Carol!" She ran to my car. "I'm sorry...I just want you two safe..why not stay over at my place for a few days?"

Ed's car pulled up. Fear entered my body as I opened my car door. "Get out of here Miranda...please." I looked at Ed,who was storming after me.

"What? Why--?"

"Honey," Ed interrupted Miranda's question, and took hold of my arm, and put his mouth to my ear. "You better make her leave," he hissed, his breath reeking of beer, "or you're gonna have another 'accident' like last night.."

I nodded, wiping the tears of fear from my face, remembering last night and me having put my dislocated arm back in place by my self. "Miranda," I gestured out of my lot, trying not to
be mean. "Please leave.."

Maria, nodded, but was definitely furious with me, which hurt. "Fine." she zipped her jacket up to her neck. "Carol, call me later, about what I said." I nodded and opened my door, which, of course, Ed closed.

"What's she talkin' about Carol?" I closed my eyes, trying to recollect the little strength I have. "She--" he slapped me across the face. I yelped, in pain, and fear.

"You better not call 'er tonight. Or I'll kill your sorry--you know what'll happen" I nodded, and scurried into my car, and drove to my little Girl's school.

* * * * * * *
My little girl, Sophia, walked out of school, and she ran to the car.
"Hey mommy." she smiled, crawling in the back seat. "You ok today?"
I nodded, looking at her bright blue eyes in the rearview mirror. "Yep.. I'm fine." I wiped stray tears from my face. "You want to go for some ice-cream?"
"Mom....what happened?" She looked concerned, her golden blonde hair shimmered in the sunlight. She wore a white shirt, with a smiley face on it, and pink shorts, with her favorite white sneakers.
"...We're going to Maria's tonight..." I could hardly speak, the lump got bigger in my throat.
"With daddy?" She asked. I shook my head, and looked at myself, a typical 40 year old mom, with my short gray hair--Ed wouldn't let me haven't let me grow it out in ages...My eyes were like Sophia's, stunning blue. My thin lips were busted. I cried some more.
"It's okay mommy." She unbuckled her seatbelt, and hugged me tight. I loved her for her sweet heart..so innocent.
"Let's go to Miranda's." I said, pushing her back to her seat.
"What about the ice cream?" She asked, and smiled.
"We can't forget the ice cream--can't we?" I gave out a little chuckle.
****************