I remember the yelling, the chasing up the stairs, I remember the hurting and the way I screamed and cried. Nobody came to help. I began to get familiar with the yelling and your painful calased fingers. I started to recognize your stomps up the stairs and the way you ripped the blanket from my tiny hands.  I remember your hot breath, burning my nose and the yells that escaped your chapped lips. I remember how I felt hot and cold at the same time and how I couldn’t move. I remember the closet and how the dolls inside came to life at night how scared I was but I was even more scared of you. You and your loud footstoops chasing me up the staircase. After the split the only time you touched me was when you hugged me but even the hugs were tense and filled with anger. You squeezed me so tightly I couldn’t breathe. I remember how I felt like I was walking on glass around you. I remember the lies you told to stay out of trouble, and you playing the victim in the situation you created. I remember how you talked to mom and how I so badly wanted to run out of the room but I was frozen and when I tried to scream nothing came out. I remember how I believed you changed when it was all a lie, they believed it too. People say you marry someone like your dad but I pray i never do.