“I’m not stupid; I know what the major wants from you.” Nora rolled her eyes. She figured he just wanted to get her mother in the sack.

“Enough. Lisa picks you up at seven.” Before Eloise could finish her sentence, Nora yanked up her book bag, ran out, and slammed the door.

Furious, Nora rushed down the stairs. Her mother made no sense. Nora tripped on the last step as tears blurred her vision. Disgusted, she picked herself up, brushed off her knees, and threw open the outside door. “I’ll show Mama . . . I’ll show everyone!”

Nora raced down the sidewalk until she noticed blood running down her shin. The bright red stream made her slow down. Spotting an empty bench, she threw down her bag and sat down to inspect her knee. Pulling out a hanky, she blotted her knee to ease the flow.

Her mother made the worst decisions. She and Lisa tried to warn her last year about Sam, but her mother wouldn’t listen. Those times stirred up ugly memories, ones she wanted to forget but couldn’t.

***

Previous Year, January 1969

Sam did everything he could to persuade Eloise to come back to him. He completely remodeled the house, painted it inside and out, and replaced the roof. He was an excellent carpenter and knew how to cut expenses. Gutting the kitchen, he put in new flooring using materials from a job he’d just finished. He refurbished the cabinets and put in new appliances left over from previous construction sites. He replaced all the old flooring with practically new hardwood floors. The once shoddy house had a new makeover.

In spite of all of Sam’s efforts, Nora still wasn’t convinced. Lisa also tried to talk sense into Eloise. Pretending to be asleep, Nora listened and learned a lot, especially the night her mother decided to return to Sam’s remolded house.

Lisa stood at the kitchen sink washing the remaining dinner dishes while Eloise dried and put them away.

“You don’t need to leave. Give it more time.” Lisa tried to persuade Eloise.

“I’ve been at your home over three months, and Sam’s been perfect this whole time. You saw the house. It’s beautiful!”

“I agree. He does do good work, but you need to think of the quality of your life. What happens if he turns violent again?”

“It won’t happen. He promises he’s changed, and I believe him.”

“I hope you’re right for your sake and Nora’s.”

“Believe me. I am right.”

“Listen to me. Don’t let him take over your pay check. Right now you’re depositing it into your own bank account. Keep it the same way. It’s important you establish parameters before you move back in with him. Do you understand?”

“I do and I will.”