The narrator shares their story of growing up in an abusive and dysfunctional household. Their parents got married late, and the narrator was often left with their father's relatives, who were strict and unkind. The narrator's father was an alcoholic who would become aggressive and violent when drunk, often targeting the narrator's mother. The narrator and their mother suffered physical and emotional abuse, and they often went hungry due to the father's drinking problem.
The narrator recalls a particularly traumatic incident where their father threw a glass table at them, leaving a scar. They also remember a time when they and their mother had to escape from their father's abuse, taking their younger sister with them.
The narrator eventually found happiness and support through their mother's efforts and later through their relationships with others. However, their past experiences continue to affect them, and they have developed a phobia of feet due to the trauma they suffered.
The narrator also talks about how their father has tried to contact them and apologize for his past behavior, but they are skeptical of his intentions. They believe that their father is only trying to reconnect because they have become successful and are now a "millionaire."
The narrator concludes by thanking their supporters and urging anyone who is in a similar situation to seek help and not tolerate abuse. They emphasize that love should not hurt and that it's essential to prioritize one's own well-being and safety.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The speaker's parents got married when they were 34 years old.
2. The speaker's father lived in Italy, but their mother lived in Germany.
3. The speaker moved to Italy with their father after their parents got married.
4. The speaker's father would often leave them alone with strangers.
5. The speaker was not allowed to talk to their mother on the phone.
6. The speaker's father would lock them up and sometimes hit them.
7. The speaker's mother would try to protect them from their father's abuse.
8. The speaker's father was often drunk and aggressive towards their mother.
9. The speaker's family was poor, and their mother would often go without food to feed them.
10. The speaker's father would spend all their money on alcohol.
11. The speaker's mother would try to hide their poverty from their children.
12. The speaker's father would often yell at them and make them feel bad.
13. The speaker's mother eventually left their father and took the children with her.
14. The speaker's father followed them for seven days after they left.
15. The speaker's mother would often tell them to be strong and brave.
16. The speaker's father would try to make them feel guilty for leaving him.
17. The speaker's mother would try to protect them from their father's manipulation.
18. The speaker's father would try to make them feel bad about themselves.
19. The speaker's mother would try to make them feel loved and valued.
20. The speaker's father's behavior was emotionally and physically abusive.
21. The speaker's mother was a victim of domestic violence.
22. The speaker's father's behavior had a lasting impact on their mental and emotional well-being.
23. The speaker's mother was a source of strength and support for them.
24. The speaker's father's behavior was not acceptable and was not love.
25. The speaker's mother taught them that they deserved to be treated with love and respect.
26. The speaker's father's behavior was not something to be taken lightly, and it had serious consequences.
27. The speaker's mother encouraged them to speak out against abuse and to seek help when needed.
28. The speaker's father's behavior was not something to be ashamed of, but rather something to be acknowledged and addressed.
29. The speaker's mother was a role model for them, showing them that they deserved to be treated with love and respect.
30. The speaker's father's behavior was not acceptable, and they deserved to be held accountable for their actions.