Written by Unknown Author.

What's a girl to do when she can't go home–and her best friend's not home either? I guess I could go to a movie. But I'd just sit there all alone, and I'm so sick of being alone. So sick of . . . everything.

Last week, my dad yelled at me for burning his grilled cheese sandwich. I can still hear him now, "Denise, I always knew you were good for nothing!" Then he slapped me right across the face. I had an ugly mark I tried to cover up with concealer, but everyone could tell. And the burn I got from bumping into the frying pan made a bright red stripe across my arm.

The weird thing is that later Dad apologized, and it seemed like he was genuinely sorry. He even said he loved me and he'd never do it again. But yesterday I came home and my mom had a black eye. She said she slipped while she was planting geraniums in the front yard. I knew better, though. We both did.

What really worries me is that my six-year-old brother might tick Dad off someday.If Dad ever laid a finger on Richy, I'd really lose it. But what could I do anyway? Dad's too strong and besides, no one wants believe he would hurt us like this. I know he doesn't really want to. It's just like something inside him snaps. It's scary.

PHYSICAL ABUSE IN FOCUS: For Denise and millions of others who are physically abused, life seems out of control. And Denise may not find the help that she needs–because she's frightened, embarrassed or simply doesn't know where to turn.

HERE ARE A FEW THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND:

*PHYSICAL ABUSE IS NEVER OKAY WITH GOD.YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER HAS WONDERFUL PLANS FOR YOU, AND HE WANTS YOU TO BE SAFE FROM HARM (see Jeremiah 29:11).

*THE PROBLEM WON'T LIKELY GO AWAY. ADMIT THAT YOUR ABUSER NEEDS HELP. ITS NOT YOUR FAULT.

*GET HELP NOW,NOT LATER.TALK TO SOMEONE YOU TRUST.