Why Don't You... by Ange Disbury
Written for Staffordshire Women’s Aid
Why don’t you work for a modelling agency? You’re just so beautiful.
Why don’t you let me buy you a drink? Sit down, I’ll treat you.
Why don’t we move on to another bar? I can’t get enough of you, you’re incredible.
Why don’t you come out with me again tonight? You had plans? I’d actually reserved a table for us. Thanks for cancelling your friends.
Why don’t you stay in tonight, your friends expect too much of you. Let’s have a quiet night just the two of us. I’ve had a big week, I need you here.
Why don’t you move in, you’re my absolute world. I've never felt this way about anyone before. I love you and can’t go a day without you. We’re meant for each other.
Why didn’t you tell me you were going out after work? I’ve been waiting in for you. I was worried about you when you didn’t call me back.
Why don’t you dress a bit simpler? You’re attracting too much attention. You’ve been letting the house go a bit recently.
Why didn’t you call me? Where have you been and who were you with? Have you been ignoring all my messages?
Why do you pander to all your sister’s requests? She’s so needy and manipulative. I wouldn’t trust her.
Why did you talk to him again tonight? He couldn’t take his eyes off you. You two are hiding something, I know it.
Why don’t you quit your job. You hate it anyway and what I earn will more than look after you. You know I love you.
Why don’t you invite me tonight? I want to be there for you, especially as your family can be so critical of you.
Why don’t you tell me what you’re hiding? Your phone’s been flashing with social media alerts all evening. If you really trusted me you’d tell me your passwords and there could be complete trust between us.
Why don’t you stop crying and shut up? You’re so hysterical and irrational. Other people wouldn’t put up with you like I do. Imagine what people would think if I let everybody know what kind of a person you are.
Why don’t you let me in and stop being so unreasonable? Next time it won’t just be the door I’ll break. Get up you hysterical woman.
Why don’t you let me wheel your bin back Mrs Jones, it’s the least I can do to help out our lovely neighbours like you.
Why don’t you shut up and stop blabbing to your sister about us. I heard you moaning. Our business is no one else’s business. It’s private. If you want the kids to be safe you’ll stop talking to her.
Why don’t you see what I’ve bought for you? I love you so much. Things just happened, I didn’t mean it. I was just joking. It’s not a big deal.
Why don’t you get up off the floor and stop over reacting. It was only a slap. Nobody will believe you. It wouldn’t have happened if you hadn’t… You worthless piece of **** No wonder your friends don’t bother with you.
Why don’t you just get over it and forget it? You make a big deal of everything. You are so cold, cruel and nit picking? Don’t play the victim. You’re just crazy…..
Why don’t we stop asking “why doesn’t she just leave” and start asking “why doesn’t he stop abusing her?”