Sarah is 22 now. She’s been with Anthony since she was fifteen. Anthony’s her soul-mate. They were made for each other, and when Sarah thinks of the pain she felt when her family did not accept Anthony; well, she’s almost glad she doesn’t see them anymore. Shame though. Little Jordy will be turning six later this year and he should know more about his Mum’s family.
Anyway, Sarah’s life has little room in it for other people. She’s kept very busy trying to keep things just the way Anthony likes them. Besides, he loves her so much he finds it hard to share her with others, so friends and family will have to wait a while until things get a bit more sorted out.
Sarah knows Anthony loves her, even though he loses his temper and hurts her. In fact, it’s because of his love for her that, when she does stupid things, Anthony is disappointed in her for letting him down. He hates himself afterwards. He is so sorry for what he’s done and he dotes on her to make sure she gets better quickly. Luckily Sarah has good neighbours who know to keep their noses out of Anthony’s and her personal life.
He’s under so much pressure, it’s not his fault that he hits her. His childhood was really rough and he never really learned to cope with stress. Before she met him Anthony had a drug habit. He’s mostly over it now, but he owes money to people — money which they don’t have. He can’t find regular work and the last thing he needs is the extra stress of Jordy wetting the bloody bed all the time. No wonder Anthony gets angry at home.
He’s been really jealous lately
Sarah can’t figure out what’s wrong with Jordy. From the little contact she has with the other mums at his school she knows that it’s not normal. Sarah is thinking about taking Jordy to the doctor — but that just means more money and hassle. And more stress for Anthony. Perhaps the bed-wetting has something to do with the fact that Jordy is not good at school and hates going there. Or that he’s fighting with some of the other kids. Maybe she should change his school. She’d like to talk to Anthony about it, but thinks that she should wait for a better time.
He’s been really jealous lately. He’s got it into his head that Sarah is seeing someone else. How stupid is that? Even if she wasn’t so devoted to him, where would she find time for another man? Its Anthony’s love for her that makes him so jealous and irrational. He’s always checking where she’s been and who she’s been talking to. He keeps the car keys to himself and only gives her the money she absolutely needs. He comes home at regular intervals to check on her. When he threatens her, Sarah knows that he is only expressing his love for her and his insecurity.
Two years ago she did a really stupid thing and rang counsellors after he hit her one time. They told the cops, who arrested Anthony and tried to get a restraining order to stop him from hitting her. Anthony made her see sense and promised her he would never do it again, so Sarah dropped the charges and told the court she didn’t want any orders placed on Anthony. But he’s never really forgiven her for ringing the counsellors. Since then, when he loses his temper, the beatings have gotten worse — but that’s her fault for making him think that he can’t trust her.
This morning he went right off. He was already angry with her because he thought she’d been talking to another man yesterday, and so when Jordy came out of his room in wet pyjamas and crying, Anthony lost it. He hit Jordy. Sarah tried to stop him and Anthony turned on her. The next thing she knew he had her pinned up against the fridge with his hand around her throat. He had a really sharp knife in his other hand, held up as though he was going to stab her with it. Sarah really thought he was going to kill her — but then Jordy screamed and ran out of the house. Anthony dropped Sarah on to the floor and ran out after him …
She found Jordy hiding under the big bush near the back fence. She took him inside and hugged him close to her. She was so terrified that something bad might have happened to him, and then so grateful and relieved to find him unhurt. All Sarah wants is for Jordy to have a chance to grow up normal and be just like his Dad.
