"When we met," Ana said. "He was something. Quick. Interested in everything I had to say. Funny. Very funny."

He was so damn funny, she thought, grinning.

"I use to write all of his jokes down. I had this shoe box. Stuffed with things, little things I wanted to keep. It was stacked with pieces of paper, napkins, what ever I could get to first to write his jokes on.

"I couldn't carry it with me. I was goofy enough for him without doing that. So, I would tuck a piece of paper in my bra. If I was having a bad day. Just pull it out. Read it. Smile. Everything was fine again.

"Then I had to write 'He hit me today. I have to be with him or no man. He made me.'

"He wears this ring. A graduation ring. Hit me so hard, it chipped my tooth. It was on a necklace around my neck and he snatched it, smacking me against the mouth. I didn't find out he never graduated until 3 years ago."

"It doesn't seem real. It happened. A few months I threw up. And here I am."