"Where did that come from?" Daniel asks, gently pulling up my sleeve to show the visible bruise. Oh, right, I accidentally mentioned it. "I hit my elbow against the countertop last night. As you know, I tend to be a bit clumsy," I explain with a sheepish smile. Daniel gives me a knowing look, understanding the situation. "I've got to rush for my class, but let's grab lunch together. My treat," I suggest, then hurry off to attend. Whew, that was a close call. Her life had been marked by a young adulthood spent working to support her parents' addictions and her own education. Being the overlooked child of alcoholic parents, she carried the burden of daily bruises as a testament to her struggles. Through countless hardships, she eventually found the man who would become her saving grace.
