“Tell her!” Aunt Clara yelled at Natalie. She opened her mouth, but couldn’t seem to get the words out. “You need to stop yelling at my daughter. And mind your own business,” Her mother yelled as she began to turn away. “Diane, don’t make me ask you to come back again. We are not children anymore and you need to listen to what she has to say.” She looked at Natalie and softly told her, “I know it’s hard, but until you say it, it’s not going to go away and its jus going to get worse.” She turned to Diane, “Can’t you see how much you hurt this child? She’s scared to speak to you, let alone look you in the eyes.” Diane looked at her sarcastically, “You’re being ridiculous.”

“Am I? Lets see…” she looked back at Natalie.

“Does your mom hurt you?” she nodded yes.

“That’s just as punishment; our parents did the same thing when we were her age,” Diane said as she crossed her arms across her chest.

“Do you do something wrong, that makes her angry?” she shrugged her shoulders. Aunt Clara slowly judging her sister as she continued, “Are you scared of her?” Natalie made no movement. “Are you afraid of her?” She slowly emphasized afraid to clarify what she was trying to prove to her. Natalie looked down and nodded yes.

“Don’t you see? This needs to stop now.” Aunt Clara staring at her sister as Diane’s tears began to fall. She slowly took a step towards Natalie and she could tell instantly that Natalie thought she was going hurt her, by the way she flinched. She knew she needed help and agreed to leave Natalie with her sister, until she got better.