"Escape Into Life" by Pheather Johnson An episode of domestic violence motivates victim of verbal abuse and dominance to escape to an independent life, enabled by interaction with five special women. Characters and the men in their lives: Beth, age 30, has endured escalating domestic abuse during her marriage. Husband: Frank, postal service employee. Norma, age 50, Beth's next-door neighbor Widowed three times. Current friends: Stanley, Jim Alice, age 40, mother of 16-year-old Ernie. Beth's sister-in-law George Schroeder, truck driver husband Theresa, age 65, mother of Frank and Alice. Beth's mother-in-law Eddie, works his Mom/Pop grocery store with his wife Miss Stellar, age 40, successful realtor, Beth's employer Bryan McCaughley, real estate entrepreneur Marsha Collins, age 50, lives in the Stony Creek house. Beth's landlady Lawrence Landers, international traveler