You know you're abused when...

Since I grew up in Hicksville, listening to Jeff Foxworthy, I thought I'd list some of my symptoms of abuse Jeff Foxworthy style.  Not that abuse is funny, but whatever gets me through the day.

I know I'm an abuse victim when:

• I dread going home and knowing other people will be there.
• I panic anytime something happens to my car that I might get blamed for (and not be able to get to work).
• I would rather be at work than at home.
• I find excuses not to be home with my abusers.
• When my abusers are gone, my stomach is in knots in anticipation about when they will come home.
• I have no mailbox key but I'm anxious about when the mail comes because I don't want to be questioned about my mail.
• I carry around every important document I might ever need in case I have to make an escape.
• I have a small bag of gold jewelry to sell should I need money no one knows about.
• I share stories with my best friend, who was abused by her boyfriend, and the stories are all too similar.
• I am scared to leave and make my own choices under threats.