Running Away

When I was 18, I decided to give my parents another chance. I moved back in with them, giving up many things. I had 2 jobs, was in college and was doing well. I gave all of that up.

My father went on a rampage and beat my mom. I had him arrested and then talked my mom into taking off to Las Vegas to be near her family. On a hot day in August we took off from NJ-NV. It took us 7 days to get there, sleeping at night in my car. I did not know it but my mother was smoking crack cocaine the entire trip. She also drank when I was not looking. I have anxiety driving, so she drove the whole way. We were lucky to get there in one piece.

Moving to LV was going to be my new start, I was going ot be someone I never was. I remember thinking that I was going to be opposite than I was my whole life and live my life the way I wanted to instead of being good all the time. I met a friend of my cousins and we hit it off from first our first meeting. I fell head over heels in love. I had never had a serious relationship, but he was different. He was a huge teddy bear who promised to take care of me and get me away from my drug addicted mother. I believed him.

I moved in with him almost immediately. After about 2 months I found out I was expecting a bundle of joy. I was nervous and excited at the same time. I was only 18, but a baby might help fill that void I still felt. It was abot 7 mos into my pregnancy with my son that the 1st beating occurred. I remember it like it was yesterday. It was all over a stupid soda. He beat me so bad that my mouth was busted and I bled, fearing a miscarriage. I ran out of the apartment, running as far as I could. I waited an hour and then went home. I got in the tub to clean up the blood and he walked in. He cried and apologized. I should had known it was all a lie, growing up with an abusive dad, but I believed him.

He did not hit me again while I was pregnant, and I assumed our life would go on with no problems, boy was I wrong.