Chapters 27-31 Summary

Looking back, trying to extract the facts from her memories, Paula has to admit that the entire decade of the 1980's is just a blur to her. All she can remember is a list of dates, and specific sensations of terror. She remembers being trapped in her house with a man who fed on her pain, who brought home so little money that she had to always guard the kitchen from her children, lest they eat up all the food. On the good days, she was aware of taking care of her children while waiting for Charlo to start beating her again. On the bad days, she would just lose several days at a time, wandering through life in a fugue state.

Paula drank more and more often, and soon alcohol was her only refuge. She would try to black out...