Thirty minutes later, with Laura still crying, James comes over and sits down on the floor next to the cage.
"I'm sorry sweetie."
"No you're not", Laura says, still crying.
"Yes, I am."
"If you're sorry, why did you allow this to happen? Why did you help him do this to me?"
"I helped him because he made me do it. If I had my choice, you would be home with your family. I didn't want this to happen. I didn't want any part of it. In fact, I understand what you are going through, well, I should in some ways."
"What do you mean?"
"When I was little, younger than you, my mom died in a car wreck. I was in the car with her. He started drinking and blamed me for the wreck. He started to abuse me, but there was nothing I could do about it, just like you right now. And there isn't anything I can do to stop him. But I will be as nice as I can to you. When he tells me to do something, I will do it, but when he passes out like he is right now, I'll do what I can to help you. Is there something you want other than to go home?"
"Yes."
"What is it? What do you want? I'll get it for you."
"Something to eat and something to drink."
"Ok. I'll be right back."
A few minutes later, James came back with some pretzel sticks and a cup of water.
"Sorry that it's only water. That's all we have, except for stuff with alcohol in it, and I wasn't going to give that to you."
"Thank you. Most of the time we either drink water or milk."
"You're welcome sweetie. I just wish we had more choices to give to you."
"It's Ok. As long as I have something to eat and drink. These are pretty good. What are they?"
"Pretzel sticks. They are one of my favorite things to eat."
"Thank you for sharing them with me."
"You're welcome."
"Can I have some more water?"
"Yes. I'll go get it for you. Be right back."
"Ok."