Love Doesn't Hurt

By Ciana Davis

Joy and Sammy live in the town of Lovington. They are next door neighbors and the best of friends.

They do everything together. They love to laugh and play in Sammy's back yard.

Recently, Joy noticed that Sammy was coming outside to play less and less.

When Joy would see Sammy in school, he looked very sad. Sometimes Sammy wouldn't come to school at all.

One day, Joy and Sammy's teacher noticed marks and bruises on Sammy's arm.

"Sammy what happened?" Ms. Clark asked.

Sammy quickly rolled down his sleeves.

"Nothing," he replied.

"Sammy, are you sure nothing happened?" asked a concerned Ms. Clark.

Sammy started to cry, "My mom said if I told anyone what happened we would get in trouble, and I would have to leave her."

Ms. Clark was alarmed by this. "Sammy, you can tell me what happened, you won't get in trouble, I promise."

Sammy told Ms. Clark about how his mothers would yell and fight with each other. He told her about how sometimes, when Momma Ana was very angry, she would hit him too.

"Oh Sammy," said Ms Clark. "No one should ever have to go through that. I know you are afraid, but people like me are here to help you. Love shouldn't hurt."