A fear in the belly

Was sitting; watching a movie
Just the beginning
An angry man; in trouble
Home after a night out
Drunken; loud...
Blood upon his clothes
Wife was wondering
What was wrong
Tension rose; baby cried
Angry words...
Too well acted; for my liking 
My belly tightened
As she and the baby
Tried to escape...
He was in the shower
Cleaning up...
They got into the car...
Mother and child
He was coming 
Eyes so wild...

Fear; pain; all over again
My girls were very young 
Just six and two...
Those times were bad
I'm telling you 
Angry time; full of fear
Nasty words
Spat with hate...
I got into the car...
With my girls...
No time to secure them
In their safety seats
Had to get away; escape
Had to retreat...

1992