POV

her face hurt.
it was being slapped, again and again.
no dinner for her.
it was her birthday.

and yet,
she felt pity for the woman slapping her.
her foster mother.
it was the way the woman was raised, and so she thought it was the only way.

she had a quiet party that night,
with her stuffed bear and mud pies.
she pretended her parents were there with her,
showering her with hugs and kisses.

she came from an abusive 'family' and yet,
when she was out with others,
she was truly happy.
she had a life to live, she wasn't impoverished, and she had friends.

she knew that one day,
some day,
she was going to have a life,
and maybe, love.