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"