Why Them

"If Grandpa noticed my black eyes, the fingernail marks around my neck from Mom's fingers digging into me, or my bruised sides; he never let on.  All Grandpa wanted to do was to see my schoolwork, read my essays, and talk about the latest book I was reading.  When Grandpa came over, he made his visit about me and what I was doing.  He made it a point to tell me every week how proud he was of me and how beautiful he thought I was; regardless of how bloody my nose was or how black my eyes were."