Joan, thank you. Life with my son can indeed be extremely challenging at times. Things are relatively good at the moment, though. At least my son hasn't pushed me in a couple of months. (My equivalent to Lois's major bruise was on the entire bottom of my upper arm. I had been trying to stand up from sitting at my computer desk when my son shoved me.) I think things have settled down until the next growth spurt.
Cuidadora, your comments, and those of others, are making me realize that the story was a lot more powerful than I had originally thought. I am so used to living this life that I forget what it would look like to someone who isn't used to daily physical abuse. One of the tremendous things about reading is that it can give one a glimpse into how other people live, and one can gain perspectives not easily attained otherwise. I'm glad that I was able to do that for you.
Morgana, thank you. Your kind words mean a lot to me. I am grateful to be here. Being on this MB is almost the only time that I can just be "Lynn" (as opposed to being "Mother" at home or "Dr. M." at work -- both are titles that I like, but that have been consuming me the past several years).
Mouserocks, I'm delighted that the story left you with at least a glimmer of hope. I had been contemplating writing a story like this for several weeks, but I had struggled with trying to come up with an ending that was neither completely depressing nor completely unrealistic. On another note -- as I wrote in a PM to you, I think our muses have traded places this summer.
Joy,
Lynn
