jumpy

July 15, 1991Nita: My mother was a paragon of our neighborhood, People always come up to us with hugs, saying "You have the most wonderful mother." l'd think. __on't you see what's going on in this house?_ To this day, if somehow even in jest raises their hand to me, I will do this (raises hands to protect face and cowers) I cringe. Then they look at me like, what's your probem? You don't get that from a great childhood.

After a traumatic experience, the human system of self-preservation seems to go onto permanent alert, as if the danger might return at any moment.