2.
'Oh my god, Andrea. I appreciate it, but I swear it's not necessary'.
'What the hell are you talking about, Carol? Of course it's necessary. We are going to get rid of these disgusting clothes Ed made you wear. It's the first step into this whole renewal of yours.'
'Why is it that I can think of other more important steps? Such as finding a place to live, you know?' She actually laughed. She couldn't remember being in this good mood for years. Two weeks ago, she finally managed to get rid of Ed. The situation was still complicated, because Ed had ran away and they didn't know where the hell he was, but she knew deep inside that that had been it. She would never let him approach her again. She knew he was going to try… hell, she knew this wasn't over yet. But right now, she didn´t care. The last year in her life consisted in finding the strenght to leave him, and the right moment to do it too. It all started one night when she couldn't stand it anymore and ended up telling everything to Andrea. Of course, there were not surprises there. Everyone in the town knew what Ed did to her. But admitting everything to Andrea had a huge impact on her, it also meant admitting it to herself. And she could have never imagined what that was going to do to her, she changed that day. She found out she was stronger than she thought, she was more than just a stupid beated housewife.

The next day after telling Andrea everything, she started to go to college online. Ed didn't let her study or work, he didn't even let her go out of the house, so they ended up thinking it was the only way, and she had always wanted to become a school teacher. She loved kids and even teenagers, although she would have never allowed herself to have one with Ed. That would have been torture for the kid. They had also made a plan with Andrea that day, and every night, when Ed came back from work, she would put a sleeping pill in his food. Yes, she knew it sounded kind of psycho, but it was the only way to avoid the beatings until she had enough courage and evidence to go to the police. Luckily, Ed never found out about that. He wasn't so smart so he just started thinking he was too tired because of work, and since he worked in construction, it did make sense, at least for him, and Carol was glad. So every night when Ed passed out in the couch watching TV, Carol would turn the computer on and study. It had worked for a year.

One day though, when Ed was about to come from work and Carol went to find the sleeping pills, uh-oh, there weren't anymore in there. She looked at the clock and it was too late to go get them.. she didn't have no car and Ed was going to arrive soon. She started to cry. She had gotten so used to not being beated that the idea panicked her, and she had an important exam tomorrow. She swallowed hard and figured she would find a way out, she would avoid his violence no matter what. She was not going through that today. She took a kitchen knife, hid it underneath her clothes, and got dinner ready.

When Ed came home, in his usual horrible mood, she was nervous and she knew he could notice it. He was dumb, but she was being too evident. They ate in silence and Carol excused herself saying she needed to answer an e-mail. She prayed that he went to sleep, but instead, he followed her with his gaze in silence as she turned the computer on.

- 'What in hell made you think you were going to start some sort of internet school, you bitch? What the hell were you thinking about, do you think I'm stupid?' he yelled, approaching her.

She could feel the tears dropping from her eyes and suddenly she thought she couldn't make it. No. She was a fool for thinking she was strong enough to do this. She suddenly regretted everything, what made her think she had a chance? Ed, despite everything, was right. She was a stupid bitch.

- 'I've known for a while now. What, you suddenly imagined yourself in front of a class? You would scare every student out, you bitch. You are ugly, you are disgusting, you are a disrespectful wife, that's what you are'. And then he slapped her. And he punched her. She fell from the chair and the knife she was hiding ended up in the floor. Ed opened his eyes. She knew this was over. He took the knife and hurt her in the arm. The pain was unbearable, but suddenly, with a strength she didn't know where came from, she stood up and ran towards the door. She opened it and kept on running. And screaming. And bleeding. She turned around and could see Ed getting in the car. But there were also people coming of their houses, and they were watching. She ran and obliged herself not to think. 'Run, come on. You can do it.' She couldn't stand the pain. The police station was just one kilometer away, but Ed was already driving towards her.

She couldn't identify the voice that yelled 'Over here, Carol. Come on!'. She just ran in that direction, and when she approached the door, she saw Rick Grimmes standing there, a concerned look in his face.

'Damn it, Carol. Are you Ok? Come on, come on inside. We are going to solve this, don't worry. Ed doesn't have a chance. Did he do this to you?'
And that was all she heard before passing out.

That had been two weeks ago. Rick called Shane and the other cops in town, ordering them to go for Ed. But Ed was already gone. The last information they had was that he headed to Gainsville, where his brother lived. The legal procedures were taking place and Ed was receiving a detention letter anytime soon, but for now, Carol didn't care. She knew she was safe, not only because she had a bunch of good friends around her, including a cap and a lawyer-to-be, but also because of her determination of never going through that again.

So now Andrea agreed to go with Carol to get her belongings to that house she spent so many years of suffering in. She didn't want to live there again, and it was Ed's house, so she didn't have that option either. She was staying at Andrea's until she found a job and got some money to rent something.

'You are going to done these clothes for charity or something, ok?'
'Come on, Andrea. Not all of them are disgusting! Look at this!' she said, pointing to a blue sweater. 'This is fine'.
'Ok Carol, keep what you want, really, but I'm telling you, none of them are fine!'
'How can I thank you, Andrea? You even bought me clothes! Oh my god, there's no way I'm wearing this', she said holding a rather short green dress. She thought it was cute, though. 'I'm not 21 anymore, Andrea. I'm 28, ok?'
'And when you were 21, you surely dressed like you were 40. Come on, Carol! You are wearing that one, actually…' she said 'you're wearing it tonight'.
'And where are we going tonight? It just doesn't feel right. This isn't me. I'm more comfy in a pair of jeans and a plain T-shirt, that's who I am'
'That's what Ed made you think you are. Anyway, wear what the hell you want ok? But we're going to this party of some sort of Milton's friend. And i won't take a no for an answer, you need to have fun, you need to have a fucking beer too'.
'I didn't know Milton had any friends', Carol said, laughing a little.
'You're a bitch, of course he has friends. He's kind of nerdy, I know, but he seems to have a social life too. Actually this guy who's throwing the party is the guy who sold him the car. Then Milton ended up helping his wife with the garden and how to grow plants in greenhouses and whatever'.
'Have you guys kissed yet? How long have you been dating or whatever is it that you do?' Carol asked.
Andrea sighed. 'I don't know, Carol. I don't even know if we're dating, hell, I don't even know if I like him. He is by far not my type, but he has something you know? Or maybe it's just me who wants to try dating a decent guy, for a change. I even feel sometimes I want to give it a try, it sounds weird, but I am becoming a lawyer, I thought that wasn't possible and it suddenly is. Maybe its also possible to settle with a nice guy, you know? As nerdy as he might be, he is also kinda cute'.
Carol held her hand. 'I understand you, you know. I am also thinking for the first time I might become someone too. I guess we're late bloomers, huh?'
Andrea laughed. 'Yeah, I guess we are. This conversation is too deep though, I need a beer. What about the party?'