PROMPT: PROMPT THIS. JADE, AT A YOUNG AGE, SAW HER MOTHER IN THE BEDROOM WITH A UGLY BRUISE ON HER FACE AND ARMS. A MOTHER AND DAUGHTER SAD TIME

"Mama, why are you purple?" Jade crawled into her mother's lap, poking at the purple and green bruise on her mother's arm. Paula flinched at the pain. "Does it hurt?" Jade asked, her green eyes wide with wonder.

"It'll heal darling," Paula murmured, stroking the young child's head.

"Is Sissy hurting?" Jade asked curiously, her eyes traveling down to Paula's large belly. Paula couldn't help but smile gently at her daughter's innocence. She wanted a sister so badly, no matter how many times she explained to her that she had no control over what gender the unborn baby inside of her was.

"No, your new brother or sister is fine," Paula answered, placing her right hand on her belly protectively.

"Then how did you get the booboo? Did you fall?"

Paula hesitated. This was not something she ever wanted to discuss with her daughter. Her arm had been grabbed forcefully, and the bruises were too obvious to go out in short sleeves in. Anyone who saw them would immediately be able to see the four round marks that matched a large hand perfectly.

"No Jade, sometimes," She hesitated again. "Sometimes people make mistakes. Accidents. You know what accidents are," Jade nodded, blushing slightly as she herself had an accident the night before. "And this was an accident."

"So it won't happen again because accidents don't happen to big girls, right Mama?" Jade was so full of innocence. Paula could feel the tears in her eyes.

"Right darling, it will never happen again," She whispered.

(( This hurt a little for me as one of my dearest friends is currently being physically abused by her boyfriend. This behavior is NOT normal, and even though you make think it will never happen again, it will. And it will only get worse. Love isn't about control and hurting someone to get what you want. You WILL be fine if you leave him. You WILL find someone else. You CAN do this. Please contact your local Abuse Hotline if you think you are being abused. There is life after this. ))