"We should make friends with these people," remarked Macaque excitedly. "They are people of the forest as we are. Surely they would recognise us as ki...dred spirits." Or they might just as easily kill and eat us," said Grasshopper who was one of those who'd accompanied Orchid to Glade's ancestral forest. The deep scars on his buttocks and chest were a permanent reminder of this bloody encounter.In any case, the Knights in the company wanted to get beyond the forest. They hoped that the river. Finally the day ended. Dad went home and I went to bed, exhausted fromthe trauma of the day.I didn't have to wait too long to find out what my first other presentfrom mom was. That Tuesday mom told me to get dressed since we had anappointment at the local beauty parlor. "You're getting your hair cutand highlighted and we're going to have tips on your nails and a nicepedicure for the summer." Mom, I don't want my hair highlighted or my nails to be long. I'llnever be able to see the guys if you. "Uhuru, you're naked!" exclaimed Jill."I truly like this one," he said. "She has a keen grasp of the obvious." Yes, we wanted to give you a nude surprise. I hope that you can forgive us," explained Aunt Jane."Because you two have made me feel so at home here, I wanted to do the same for you," he said.We both thanked for Uhuru for making such an effort. We had a great time that night, although I noticed that there were times that Uhuru seemed a little uncomfortable as the experience was very new. Hurting people that they live with. Some men beat on their wives and children. Some women beat on their husbands and children. It is not something that is limited to gender. At all. It is not limited to race. It is not limited to sexual orientation. Some gay men beat on their male partners. Some lesbians beat on their female partners. It happens everywhere. People like to hide it. Often, they have no one to turn to. At all. For women, there are shelters and social services. No one ever hears of.