June was beaten, bloody, and bruised
Empty, half-empty, and broken bottles were everywhere
June had a concussion, and no one knew
Charles took time off work, vacation days he said, a road trip
June cried, he beat her, she tried to tidy the house, and he beat her
Neal was gone, Charles had never loved Neal, he had once liked, maybe even loved June
But those days were gone
He didn't love Neal, he didn't even like him, but Neal belonged to Charles
June belonged to Charles
They were his
And Neal was gone
That was wrong
One day when Charles lay on the floor, passed out from alcohol poisoning, June made one phone call
It lasted forty-five seconds
Long enough for the receiving line to go to voice mail, and for her to say two words
"Help me"
