Present - 94

Regina stood under the shower and washed her hair. Distant bruises marked her arms and ribs always reminding her of the time when she was manhandled like a dog.

Paul pressed his chest against her back and wrapped his arms around her waist. "Are you sure you are alright? I can always have a doctor come here and look at you." 

Saying that he pulled her hair over one shoulder and kissed her temple.

"I am fine, Paul." She turned around and dipped her head back so she could rinse the soap out of her hair. "I have been through worse."

"There's no shame in admitting you need help."

"Stop treating me like a doll. I may bend but I do not break." She stepped out from underneath the water and squeezed her hair dry.

She stepped out of the shower and dried off her hair at the bathroom sink. With a towel wrapped around her chest, she ran her fingers through her hair as the warm hair blew.