Can I Get a Refund?

Somewhere around third grade, I sat crisscross on the checkered multi-colored rug in my basement Sunday school room. The teachers were about to take offering, but first, one of them sat on the kid-sized bench in front of us and explained what we were donating the money to. She explained that the money was going to an organization that helped abused children. “Some kids don’t have nice mommy’s and daddy’s,” she said.   Sitting there on that rug, listening to her explain to my peers what an abused child was, I thought, “Little do they know, I am one of those kids.” (Yes, I actually used the phrase “little do they know.” I guess I was always destined to be an English major). In my adult years, I have felt resentment that I was spoken to about abuse as a child, but I was never once asked if I felt safe and loved at home, but now I realize that if I had been asked, I don’t know what I would have said. I’m sure I would have downplayed it or excused my dad’s behavior in some way. I knew t...