Wives with Knives (2012–…): Season 3, Episode 2 - The Politics of Love - full transcript

Narrator:
A CONFUSED TEENAGER...

AWKWARD AND WEIRD -
THOSE TWO WORDS STUCK TO KRISTA.

Narrator: ...COMES INTO HER OWN
WORKING AT A TRAVELING CARNIVAL.

I WAS A FREAK.
All: SIR, YES, SIR!

Narrator: THEN SHE ENLISTS
IN A NEW CAREER.

...CAN'T DO ANYTHING!
HEY, DON'T YOU...

BUT LOVE SEEMS
FOREVER OUT OF REACH...

THANKS, THOUGH.
[ CHUCKLES ] FELT GOOD.

...UNTIL ONE DAY SHE FINALLY
FINDS THE MAN OF HER DREAMS.

IT WAS SO MAGNETIC. WE COULDN'T
LEAVE EACH OTHER ALONE.

WHO THE HELL IS THIS GUY?!



Narrator:
BUT WHEN JEALOUSY TAKES OVER...

TELL ME WHAT YOU DID!

...HE WORLD SPIRALS
INTO DARKNESS.

Connie: YOU GOT LOVE.
HI.

YOU GOT OBSESSION.

STOP IT!

OH, BAD MIXTURE.

Narrator: NOT ALL FAIRY TALES
HAVE HAPPY ENDINGS.

[ WOMAN SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY ]

WHEN LOVE GOES WRONG,

A WOMAN CAN DO THE UNTHINKABLE.

CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY
DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS

IT'S THE END OF HIGH SCHOOL
FOR 19-YEAR-OLD KRISTA CLARK.

BUT UNLIKE HER CLASSMATES,
KRISTA DOESN'T HAVE PROM



OR GRADUATION PARTIES
ON HER DANCE CARD.

I ALWAYS KNEW THERE WAS
SOMETHING STRANGE ABOUT ME

'CAUSE I DIDN'T FIT IN.

I WAS NEVER LIKE
EVERYBODY ELSE.

KRISTA'S A LONER
WHO PREFERS SURFING THE WEB

TO INTERACTING
WITH OTHER PEOPLE.

BUT SHE WASN'T ALWAYS
SUCH AN OUTCAST.

Man: OH, THIS CAR'S
GONNA TAKE A LOT OF WORK.

BORN INTO A WORKING-CLASS FAMILY
IN SOUTHERN ILLINOIS,

KRISTA HAD A SPECIAL BOND
WITH HER DAD.

THAT'S THE ONE.
ALL RIGHT.

WHEN I WAS A YOUNG CHILD,

I WAS THE CENTER
OF MY FATHER'S ATTENTION.

SO, WE'RE GONNA PUT THAT
BACK ON THERE...

KRISTA'S DAD
IS A TRUCK DRIVER

AND TINKERS WITH MACHINES
ON THE SIDE.

HE OWNED A JUNKYARD,
AND I GOT A NICKNAME FROM THAT.

I WAS MY DAD'S
JUNKYARD PRINCESS.

AND YOU'RE SMILING.
YOU LIKED THIS.

YEAH.

BECAUSE, WHAT, YOU WERE THE
APPLE OF YOUR FATHER'S EYE?

ABSOLUTELY.

WHEN KRISTA STARTS SCHOOL,

HER MOM GIVES BIRTH
TO HER SISTER, HEATHER.

THE FOLLOWING YEAR,
KRISTA'S DAD DIES UNEXPECTEDLY.

MY MOTHER TOLD ME
THAT HE HAD HEART PROBLEMS.

LIKE, HIS HEART BEAT TWICE
AS FAST AS IT WAS SUPPOSED TO.

HE DIED IN HIS SLEEP.

HAVING LOST THE PARENT
THAT MAKES HER FEEL SPECIAL,

KRISTA'S WORLD CRUMBLES.

HOW OLD WAS YOUR MOTHER?

WHEN HE DIED,
SHE WAS 28.

YEAH.
YEAH.

WAS THIS A STRAIN
ON YOUR FAMILY?

[ SIGHS ]
THAT'S PUTTING IT LIGHTLY.

DR. CASEY JORDAN
STUDIES CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR.

KRISTA DEVELOPED A SPECIAL BOND
WITH HER FATHER

FROM A VERY YOUNG AGE.

AND BECAUSE SHE WAS SO SPECIAL
TO HER DAD,

KRISTA WILL SPEND
THE REST OF HER LIFE

ALWAYS TRYING TO BE THE CENTER
OF SOMEONE'S ATTENTION.

Narrator: KRISTA'S MOM GETS A
FACTORY JOB TO SUPPORT THE FAMILY.

CAN WE GO TO THE PARK?

NOT NOW, KRISTA.

BETWEEN
PULLING IN A PAYCHECK

AND CHANGING DIAPERS,

SHE DOESN'T HAVE MUCH TIME
FOR KRISTA.

SHE FOCUSED ALL OF HER ATTENTION
ON MY SISTER,

AND ON OCCASION,
I GOT LITTLE TIDBITS.

ACCORDING TO KRISTA, IT'S NOT
JUST A BUSY WORK SCHEDULE

THAT HAS HER MOM ON EDGE.

DO YOU THINK YOUR MOM
HAD PSYCHOLOGICAL ISSUES?

OH, YES.
DEFINITELY.

I DO NOT QUESTION THAT AT ALL.
ALL RIGHT.

I SAID NO.

AND YOU THINK YOU WERE THE BRUNT
OF HER MOOD SWINGS?

ABSOLUTELY.

Narrator: WHEN PLAYING
THE PERFECT PRINCESS

DOESN'T GET HER ANYWHERE,

KRISTA RESORTS TO MORE EXTREME
LENGTHS TO GET ATTENTION.

I'M GONNA CUT MY HAIR.

I WAS ALWAYS THE ONE
THAT WAS ACTING OUT.

I WAS THE ONE THAT TRIED
TO DRAW ATTENTION TO MYSELF

TO GET THE GOOD ATTENTION,

BUT INSTEAD,
I WOULD GET DISPLACED ISSUES.

WANT SOME MILK?

QUIT IT!

ALL SHE WANTED
WAS TO BE WANTED.

ALL SHE WANTED WAS TO GET
THE ATTENTION THAT SHE DESERVED.

NOBODY GAVE IT TO HER

BECAUSE SHE DIDN'T KNOW
HOW TO GO ABOUT GETTING IT.

KRISTA'S DESPERATE NEED
FOR ATTENTION

IS THAT OF A CLASSIC NARCISSIST.

NOW, NARCISSISTS
AREN'T ALWAYS VAIN,

AND THEY'RE NOT BAD PEOPLE,

BUT THEY OFTEN HAVE TROUBLE
VIEWING THEMSELVES OBJECTIVELY

AND HOLD
UNREASONABLE EXPECTATIONS

FOR FAVORABLE TREATMENT.

Narrator: KRISTA'S GRADUATING
FROM A SPECIAL HIGH SCHOOL

FOR KIDS
WITH BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS.

SHE ALSO FEELS LIKE AN OUTSIDER
IN HER OWN HOME

AND HAS NOTHING IN COMMON
WITH HER MOTHER AND SISTER.

MY SISTER WAS THE ONE
THAT ALWAYS GOT TAKEN OUT

WITH MY MOTHER
WHEN SHE WENT OUT SOMEWHERE.

WE'RE GONNA GO
GET OUR NAILS DONE.

THEY DON'T HAVE BLACK.
[ LAUGHS ]

SHE WOULD HANG OUT
WITH MY MOTHER AND HER FRIENDS,

AND I'D GET LEFT BEHIND.

DON'T BURN THE HOUSE DOWN.

Narrator: BY THE TIME
GRADUATION ROLLS AROUND,

KRISTA WANTS ONE THING -

TO GET OUT OF HER SMALL TOWN
AND AWAY FROM HER FAMILY.

[ BLOWS ]

[ CHIMES RING ]

[ TIGER GROWLS ]

Narrator: WHILE THE REST
OF HER CLASSMATES ARE AT PROM,

KRISTA DECIDES TO
HIT THE CARNIVAL.

Anthony: SHE NEVER GOT ANY POSITIVE
ATTENTION FROM ANYBODY AROUND HER.

THEY WEREN'T INTERESTED IN
WHAT SHE WAS INTERESTED IN,

AND THAT SCARED THEM AWAY.

Narrator:
AS SHE LOOKS AROUND,

KRISTA STARTS TO FEEL
STRANGELY COMFORTABLE.

IN THE CARNIVAL,
IT SEEMS LIKE YOU FOUND -

YOU FIT IN.

I WAS A FREAK.
THAT'S HOW I FELT ABOUT MYSELF.

SUDDENLY, SHE DECIDES THE
CARNIVAL MAY JUST BE THE TICKET

TO A NEW LIFE
THAT SHE'S BEEN LONGING FOR.

WHY WEREN'T YOU THINKING,
"I SHOULD GO TO COLLEGE.

I COULD GET A FULL-TIME JOB.
I COULD GET MY OWN PLACE"?

THESE THOUGHTS WERE NOT
IN YOUR HEAD AT ALL?

I KNEW I DIDN'T HAVE
THE SOCIAL SKILLS

OR THE PEOPLE WHO LIKED ME
TO BE ABLE TO GET A JOB.

AND IT WAS
SUCH A SMALL TOWN.

EVERYBODY KNOWS EVERYBODY,

SO EVERYBODY KNEW
WHO CRAZY KRISTA WAS.

BUT SHE HAS A FEELING
THE CARNIVAL WON'T CARE.

SHE GIVES IT A SHOT.

HEY, I'M KRISTA.
I HEARD YOU MIGHT BE HIRING?

I DON'T KNOW. LET'S, UH -
LET'S WALK AROUND.

I JOINED THE CARNIVAL.

LET'S SEE WHAT YOU CAN DO.

Narrator: KRISTA SPENDS THE WEEK
LEARNING THE ROPES.

Clark: I HELPED RUN THE SUPER
SLIDE, I DID TICKET BOOTH,

AND I ALSO DID THE CLEANUP
OF THE CAROUSEL.

AND THE OWNERS
GAVE ME A COMPLIMENT,

THAT THAT'S THE CLEANEST
THEY'D EVER SEEN IT,

BECAUSE I WAS SO ATTENTIVE
TO THE DETAILS.

YOU SHOULD THINK ABOUT
COMING ON THE ROAD WITH US.

YEAH?

SOUNDS LIKE YOU DIDN'T GET TOO
MANY COMPLIMENTS IN YOUR LIFE.

NO.

THANK YOU.
THANKS. HAVE FUN.

Narrator: FOR THE FIRS TIME IN HER
LIFE, KRISTA FEELS VALUED.

WHEN THE CARNIVAL ROLLS OUT
OF TOWN THE FOLLOWING WEEK,

SHE LEAVES WITH THE TROUPE.

HEY.

Dr. Jordan: YOU MET PEOPLE THERE.
DID YOU MAKE FRIENDS?

VERY FEW.
BUT THEY WERE TREASURED.

HEY.

HEY.

Narrator: WILL THE CARNIVAL
BE THE RIDE OF KRISTA'S LIFE

OR SEND HER
CAREENING OUT OF CONTROL?

Narrator: 19-YEAR-OLD KRISTA CLARK
HAS ALWAYS BEEN AN OUTCAST...

WE'RE GONNA GO
GET OUR NAILS DONE.

...EVEN IN HER OWN FAMILY.

HEY, I HEARD
YOU MIGHT BE HIRING?

WHEN A TRAVELING CARNIVAL
SWINGS THROUGH HER SMALL TOWN

IN ILLINOIS,

SHE THINKS
SHE'S FOUND HER CALLING.

KRISTA COMES INTO HER OWN
AMONG THE CARNIVAL CREW.

HEY, DEAR.

AND THE QUIRKY YOUNG WOMAN
IS NOW GETTING THE ATTENTION

SHE'S ALWAYS CRAVED.

LOOK AT THIS HAIR.

[ LAUGHS ]
YOU LIKE IT?

OH, I LOVE IT.
THANKS.

AND PLENTY OF IT.

STRING OF BOYFRIENDS, USUALLY
LASTING MAYBE A COUPLE WEEKS,

A MONTH OR TWO
HERE OR THERE.

HOW ARE YOU?
HEY, BOSS.

THESE ARE THE NEW GUYS
I WAS TELLING YOU ABOUT.

HI, BOYS.

WHEN I TELL YOU SHE WOULD DO ANYTHING
TO GET ATTENTION FROM A MAN...

...PERSONAL ATTENTION,
SHE WOULD DO ANYTHING.

TAKE YOU.

THERE WERE SOME THAT WERE
JUST FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS,

IS THE BEST WORD FOR IT.

SEEMS LIKE YOU COULD DO
SOME HEAVY LIFTING.

Narrator: EACH TIME THE CARNIVAL
COMES TO A NEW TOWN,

THEY HIRE LOCALS TO HELP
WITH THE SETUP AND TAKEDOWN.

I'LL COME BACK FOR YOU.

AND KRISTA'S MORE THAN HAPPY
TO SHOW THEM THE ROPES.

LACK OF BOUNDARIES
AND SHAMELESSNESS

ARE VERY TYPICAL TRAITS
OF NARCISSISTIC PEOPLE.

AND KRISTA DOESN'T REALIZE THAT
HER BEHAVIOR IS OVER-THE-TOP.

IN HER DESIRE TO BE
THE BELLE OF THE BALL

OR THE QUEEN OF THE CARNIVAL,

SHE'S USING HER PROMISCUITY
TO GET ATTENTION.

AND THIS COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS
FOR HER IN THE LONG RUN.

Narrator: BETWEEN THE CREW

AND THE CONSTANT STREAM
OF NEW LOCAL GUYS,

KRISTA NEVER WANTS FOR COMPANY.

Clark: THEY HAVE THE REGULAR WORKERS
THAT TRAVEL WITH THE CARNIVAL,

AND THEN THEY HAVE PEOPLE
WHO SHOW UP AT THE SPOTS

JUST TO HELP FOR THE TIME
THAT THE CARNIVAL'S IN TOWN.

Narrator: DEEP DOWN,

KRISTA WANTS SOMETHING MORE
FROM A RELATIONSHIP,

BUT SHE'S NOT SURE
HOW TO GET IT.

SHE WANTED THE INTIMACY
WITH SOMEONE,

AND IT WAS COMPLETELY OBVIOUS.

HEY!

DON'T YOU WANT TO HANG OUT
SOME MORE, OR...?

YEAH, YEAH, NOT REALLY.
I'M DONE.

OKAY.

I'M SURE SHE WANTED LOVE.

AND NOT JUST A FAMILY'S LOVE,
BUT A PARTNER'S LOVE.

THANKS, THOUGH.
[ CHUCKLES ] FELT GOOD.

Dr. Jordan:
TALK TO ME ABOUT THIS.

WHY ARE YOU HAVING SEX
WITH SO MANY GUYS

WHO YOU, APPARENTLY,
DIDN'T CARE ABOUT

AND SOUNDS LIKE THEY DIDN'T CARE
THAT MUCH ABOUT YOU?

NO, THEY REALLY DIDN'T.

THEN WHY KEEP DOING IT?

BECAUSE AT LEAST FOR THE MOMENT,
I COULD FEEL LIKE,

EVEN THOUGH I KNOW BETTER NOW,
THAT I WAS LOVED,

THAT SOMEBODY CARED ENOUGH ABOUT
ME TO TOUCH ME, TO HOLD ME,

TO DO SOMETHING THAT SHOWED ME
SOME SORT OF AFFECTION.

OKAY. COME ON,
I'LL SHOW YOU BACK HERE.

Narrator:
AT THE END OF THE SUMMER,

THE CARNIVAL STOPS
IN LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY.

OH, SO, HERE WE GOT
SOME RIGGING.

AS USUAL,
THE CARNIVAL HIRES SOME LOCALS.

ONE OF THEM
IS A GUY NAMED JASON,

WHO QUICKLY
CATCHES KRISTA'S EYE.

JASON HAD THIS SMOOTH LOOK
ABOUT HIM AND THIS SMIRK.

SOMETIMES HE'D ALSO HAVE
THIS LITTLE TWITCH.

KIND OF LIKE
THE ELVIS TWITCH.

IN HIS LIP?
YEAH.

YEAH, IT WAS KIND OF FUNNY
AND CUTE.

KRISTA WASTES NO TIME
LETTING JASON KNOW

JUST HOW FUN
WORKING AT THE CARNIVAL CAN BE.

THEY SPEND THE NEXT WEEK
TOGETHER.

BUT CARNIVAL SEASON
IS COMING TO A CLOSE.

I'M GONNA MISS YOU SO MUCH.
I'M GONNA MISS YOU, TOO.

KRISTA DOESN'T WANT TO
GO BACK HOME,

AND LUCKILY, JASON DOESN'T
WANT HER TO LEAVE LOUISVILLE.

WHY DON'T YOU MOVE IN
WITH ME?

Clark:
JASON FELL IN LOVE WITH ME,

AND I WAS VERY MUCH ATTRACTED
AND LIKED HIM.

OKAY.
[ LAUGHS ]

Narrator: SHE MAKES
A SPLIT-SECOND DECISION

TO TAKE JASON UP
ON HIS INVITATION.

[ DOORBELL RINGS ]

HEY, MOM. MOM!

HEY, BABY.
HEY.

JUST PUT YOUR BAGS DOWN.

Narrator: 19-YEAR-OLD JASON
DOESN'T HAVE A PLACE OF HIS OWN

OR A REGULAR JOB.

Woman: HELLO.
OH.

HI. WELCOME.

SO KRISTA SETTLES IN
WITH HIM AND HIS FAMILY.

THANKS.
Jason: COME ON UP.

Clark: I HELPED THEM AROUND
THE HOUSE AND EVERYTHING,

AND JASON AND I,
WE WOULD PLAY VIDEO GAMES,

AND WE'D TALK ABOUT THINGS
AND LISTEN TO MUSIC.

I BECAME A PART OF THE FAMILY.

HIT THE SPOT, HUH?

Narrator: FOR KRISTA, WHO NEVER
FIT IN WITH HER OWN FAMILY,

IT'S A DREAM COME TRUE.

AND SHE'LL DO ANYTHING
TO MAKE IT LAST.

UM... LET'S GO WITHOUT.

IT'LL FEEL BETTER,
DON'T YOU THINK?

[ SIGHS ]

OKAY.

THE PLAN WAS
HIM TO GET ME PREGNANT.

WE'D GET MARRIED,
AND I WOULDN'T HAVE TO WORRY

ABOUT BEING AROUND MY MOTHER
OR MY SISTER ANYMORE.

YOU WANTED TO HAVE A BABY.

DID HE WANT TO HAVE A BABY
WITH YOU?

HE CONTINUED HAVING SEX
WITH ME.

THAT'S NOT AN ANSWER.

'CAUSE MEN WILL HAVE SEX
NO MATTER WHAT.

I THINK HE DID.

KRISTA'S PLAN PAYS OFF.

AFTER ONLY TWO MONTHS TOGETHER,

SHE GETS THE NEWS
SHE'S BEEN HOPING FOR.

SO, WITH JASON, AT 19,
YOU BECAME PREGNANT?

MM-HMM.

HOW DID YOU FEEL
ABOUT THAT?

I WAS ECSTATIC.

WELCOME.
HELLO.

AND JASON'S ALONG
FOR THE RIDE.

NOW THAT THERE'S A BABY
ON THE WAY,

IN KRISTA'S MIND,
THERE'S JUST ONE MORE THING

THAT WOULD MAKE THIS
THE PERFECT PICTURE.

AND YOU'RE HERE TODAY, BOTH OF
YOU, OF YOUR OWN FREE WILL...

I HAD SAID, "LET'S GET MARRIED.
I'M PREGNANT WITH YOUR CHILD.

I DON'T WANT TO GIVE BIRTH
TO A CHILD OUT OF WEDLOCK."

AND JASON SAID?

JASON SAID, "LET'S GO."

IF YOU WOULD BOTH PUT YOUR RIGHT
HANDS ON THE BIBLE THERE...

AND YOU LITERALLY WENT...?

STRAIGHT TO THE COURTHOUSE.

AND WITHIN HALF AN HOUR,

HAD A JUSTICE OF THE PEACE THERE
TO MARRY US.

JASON,
IF YOU WOULD ASK KRISTA...

THERE WAS NOBODY THERE
FAMILY-WISE, FRIENDS.

WE WERE BOTH IN BLUE JEANS
AND T-SHIRTS.

BUT I WAS GLOWING.

WHY?

I WAS THE HAPPIEST WOMAN
ON EARTH

BECAUSE I FELT THAT
I'M WORTH BEING MARRIED,

I'M WORTH LOVING.

I'M NOT AS UGLY AS I FELT
OR WAS TOLD GROWING UP.

WILL YOU BE
MY LAWFULLY WEDDED HUSBAND?

Jason: I WILL.

SOMEONE WANTS TO MARRY ME.

AND THAT NAME WAS LIKE A BANNER
FOR ME.

I CARRIED IT AROUND.

I'VE BEEN MARRIED,
AND I HAVE A CHILD.

WHAT?

Man: CONGRATULATIONS.
THANK YOU.

CONGRATULATIONS.

I'M BETTER THAN EVERYBODY
THOUGHT I WAS.

Narrator: BUT ONCE THEY'RE BACK
HOME, THE STARRY-EYED BRIDE

HAS TO FACE THE TRUTH
ABOUT HER NEW HUSBAND.

HEY, WHOA. WHOA, WHOA, WHOA,
WHOA. NOT SO MUCH.

UNEMPLOYED, THE NEWLYWEDS CAN'T
AFFORD A PLACE OF THEIR OWN.

DID HE FEEL TRAPPED,
OR WAS HE HAPPY?

[ SIGHS ]

I'D BE WILLING TO WAGER, BY HIS
ACTIONS, THAT HE FELT TRAPPED.

YOU DO YOUR THING,
I'LL DO MY THING, ALL RIGHT?

THEY START TO ARGUE
CONSTANTLY

MY WAY.
FINE, YOU CAN EAT IT YOURSELF.

YOU CAN EAT IT.
IT'LL BE GREAT, ALL RIGHT?

BUT WITH A BABY ON THE WAY,
NOBODY'S GOING ANYWHERE.

I DO.
HEY. HEY!

I AM ON THE PHONE.

KRISTA SHOULD HAVE
SEEN THIS COMING.

BUT SHE WAS SO FIXATED
ON HER OWN GOALS

THAT SHE WAS OBLIVIOUS
TO JASON'S PERSPECTIVE.

NOW SHE DOESN'T WANT TO
TAKE RESPONSIBILITY.

SHE WANTS TO PLAY
THE ROLE OF VICTIM

AND BLAME JASON
FOR THEIR UNHAPPY RELATIONSHIP.

[ VIDEO GAME PLAYS
IN BACKGROUND ]

Narrator: SIX MONTHS LATER,

KRISTA GIVES BIRTH TO A BABY BOY
THEY NAME AIDEN.

JASON, COME LOOK.

WERE YOU PREPARED
TO RAISE A CHILD?

WELL,
PART OF IT WAS INTUITION.

I HAD A LOT OF THAT.

CAN YOU PUT -
HAVEN'T YOU PLAYED THAT ENOUGH?

[ AIDEN FUSSES ]
I'M ALMOST THERE, OKAY?

JUST WAIT.

I HAVE TO GO TO THE BATHROOM.
CAN YOU HOLD HIM FOR A SECOND?

CAN YOU HOLD IT
FOR A SECOND?

CAN YOU HOLD YOUR SON?

Narrator: BUT HER HUSBAND DOESN'T
SEEM TO SHARE HER ENTHUSIASM

FOR PARENTING.

JUST PUT HIM -
JUST PUT HIM IN THE -

WHY DON'T YOU
BE HIS FATHER?

[ AIDEN CRIES ]

KRISTA...

WAS HE WORKING?
NO.

SO NEITHER OF YOUR ARE WORKING.
YOU'RE BOTH AT HOME.

I FIGURED MAYBE HAVING A BABY
WOULD CHANGE HIM.

[ GROANS ]

DOES THIS BRING YOU AND JASON
CLOSER?

[ SIGHS ] NO.

YOU THOUGHT IT WOULD.

I THOUGHT IT WOULD,

BUT I END UP SLEEPING
ON THE COUCH BY MYSELF

SO THAT I CAN WAKE UP
TO BREAST FEED

FOR THE FIRST COUPLE WEEKS.

WAS HE HELPFUL
AROUND THE HOUSE?

ONLY WHEN I BEGGED HIM
AND YELLED AT HIM AND PLEADED.

Narrator: ACCORDING TO KRISTA,
JASON CAN'T TAKE THE PRESSURE AND CRACKS.

HE TURNED INTO
THIS MONSTER.

[ AIDEN CRIES,
VIDEO GAME PLAYS ]

CAN YOU CHECK ON HIM?

DID HE HIT YOU?
DID HE JUST YELL AT YOU?

WHAT KIND OF ABUSE?
PHYSICAL.

JESUS,
CAN YOU CHECK ON YOUR SON?

ME AND HIM HAD GOTTEN INTO
A VERBAL SPAT,

AND THEN
HE STARTED HITTING ME.

SHUT UP, OKAY?!
AAH!

HUH, KRISTA?
[ SLAP LANDS ]

YOU TAKE CARE OF HIM,
OKAY?!

Dr. Jordan: BUT WERE YOU
PREPARED TO LEAVE

IF JASON CONTINUED
TO BE ABUSIVE?

Clark:
I DIDN'T KNOW WHERE TO GO.

YOU DIDN'T HAVE ANY MONEY OF
YOUR OWN, NO VEHICLE, ANYTHING.

NOTHING.

Narrator:
AND SHE CAN'T STOMACH THE IDEA

OF RETURNING TO HER MOM'S HOUSE.

Clark: I'M SICK OF YOU NOT
DOING ANYTHING AROUND HERE!

THAT IS NOT MY JOB.
I'M SO SICK -

I DON'T NEED TO DO THAT.
I'M SO EXHAUSTED!

I'M EXHAUSTED FROM YOU
NAGGING ME CONSTANTLY!

AS THE MONTHS GO BY,

KRISTA CLAIMS
THE ABUSE BECOMES COMMONPLACE.

YOU LISTEN TO ME
AND DON'T SAY ANOTHER WORD.

STOP IT! STOP IT!

AT A LOSS FOR WHAT TO DO,

KRISTA LEARNS ABOUT
A RUNAWAY PROGRAM

AT ONE OF THE LOCAL
BUS COMPANIES.

Clark:
ANYONE UNDER THE AGE OF 22,

IF THEY SAY
THAT THEY'RE A RUNAWAY,

THEY'LL BUY THEIR TICKET
AND SEND THEM HOME.

MOM, IT'S KRISTA.

Narrator: SHE FINALLY SWALLOWS
HER PRIDE AND CALLS HER MOM.

I'M GOING TO WANT TO COME HOME
FOR A LITTLE WHILE.

SO, WHAT DID YOU DO?

I TOOK OUR SON
BACK TO ILLINOIS.

BACK HOME TO YOUR MOM.

YES, SIR!
LET'S GO, PEOPLE!

Narrator: THE DESPERATE MOVE
SETS THE STAGE

FOR A LIFE-CHANGING CAREER...

GET OF THE CAR AND TALK TO ME.
I'M GOING FOR A DRIVE.

...AND AN EVEN MORE VOLATILE
RELATIONSHIP.

BOTH PUT YOUR RIGHT HANDS
ON THE BIBLE THERE.

Narrator:
20-YEAR-OLD KRISTA CLARK

HAS BEEN MARRIED
FOR LESS THAN A YEAR...

CAN YOU CHECK ON HIM NOW?

...BUT SHE'S ALREADY
FACING THE REALITY

THAT HER DREAM OF A PERFECT
FAMILY WITH HER HUSBAND, JASON,

ISN'T GOING TO PAN OUT.

AAH!
HUH, KRISTA?

WITH NOWHERE ELSE TO RUN,

KRISTA GOES BACK TO HER MOTHER'S
HOUSE IN ILLINOIS.

ACCORDING TO KRISTA,
IT'S A LUKEWARM REUNION.

I KNEW YOU'D BE BACK.

JUST GIVE ME THE BABY.

Jason: YEAH,
DID YOU TAKE MY SON?

YOU TOOK HIM?
WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU?

Narrator: WHEN HER HUSBAND, JASON,
FINDS KRISTA AND AIDEN GONE,

HE DEMANDS SHE BRING THEIR SON
BACK TO KENTUCKY.

SO I'M SUPPOSED TO
GO THERE NOW?

YOU CALL ME
IF YOU WANT TO VISIT.

HE DIDN'T LIKE IT MUCH, BUT
THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO.

OKAY, FINE. FINE!

FINALLY, JASON AGREES
TO VISIT WHEN HE CAN.

Man: KRISTA?

Clark: YES.

FOR NOW, THE ONLY THING
ON THE YOUNG MOTHER'S MIND

IS MAKING IT ON HER OWN.

DO YOU HAVE ANY
CLERICAL EXPERIENCE?

UM... NO.

BUT THAT'S EASIER SAID
THAN DONE.

HOW ABOUT COMPUTERS?

UH, ANY COMPUTER SKILLS?

UM... WELL,
I CAN PLAY COMPUTER GAMES.

[ CHUCKLES ]

Clark:
I WASN'T A COLLEGE STUDENT,

AND I DIDN'T HAVE ANY CONFIDENCE
IN MYSELF

BEING ABLE TO GET A JOB.

FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS,
KRISTA GETS ODD JOBS

BUT STRUGGLES
TO FIND LONG-TERM WORK.

I PUT OUT RéSUMéS, APPLICATIONS
AND DIDN'T HEAR ANYTHING.

SHE FEELS STUCK.

SO, YOU GET FOOD PAID FOR,
YOU GET...

THEN ONE DAY,
A FRIEND SUGGESTS A POSSIBILITY

THAT COULD SOLVE
ALL HER PROBLEMS.

GRAB A CHAIR RIGHT HERE.

SO YOU WENT TO
THE ARMY RECRUITER.

WHAT GOT YOU INTERESTED
IN THE ARMY?

HE GAVE ME THE TEST,
AND I SCORED REALLY WELL,

AND I FIGURED
THAT I COULD MAKE MONEY

TO BE ABLE TO TAKE CARE
OF MYSELF AND MY SON.

THE ARMY'S A GOOD PLACE
FOR YOU.

JOINING THE ARMY WAS REALLY
A VERY MATURE CHOICE FOR KRISTA.

SHE ALWAYS WANTED TO FIT IN,
AND IT GAVE HER AN OPPORTUNITY

TO BE PRAISED AND ACKNOWLEDGED
FOR HER ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

GOOD SALARY, HOUSING.

BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY,
SHE'S GETTING THE SKILLS

AND EXPERIENCE
AND FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE

SO THAT SHE CAN TAKE CARE
OF HERSELF DOWN THE ROAD.

Man: GET THOSE KNEES HIGH.
GET 'EM HIGH, GET 'EM HIGH.

WHAT TIME IS IT?

GO TIME!

Narrator: A WEEK AFTER GETTING
HER ACCEPTANCE LETTER,

KRISTA ARRIVES IN MISSOURI
FOR BASIC TRAINING.

AND HOW WAS BASIC TRAINING?

I LOVED IT.
IT WAS GREAT.

Man: LET'S GO, PEOPLE.
BACK UP. BACK UP.

YES, SIR!
HUH?

YES, SIR!

Narrator: FOR THE FIRST TIME
SINCE HER DAYS IN THE CARNIVAL,

KRISTA GETS COMPLIMENTED
FOR HER WORK.

ONE OF THE DRILL SERGEANTS
ENDED UP TELLING ME PRIVATELY

THAT I WAS THE MOST MOTIVATED
PRIVATE IN THE WHOLE COMPANY.

DID PRETTY GOOD OUT THERE TODAY.
THANK YOU, SIR.

THE WHOLE COMPANY.
THAT'S LIKE 200 PEOPLE.

All: SIR, YES, SIR!

Narrator: DESPITE THE STRAINED
RELATIONSHIP WITH HER MOTHER,

KRISTA LEAVES 2-YEAR-OLD AIDEN
WITH HER IN ILLINOIS,

WHERE HIS FATHER, JASON,
CONTINUES TO VISIT HIM.

AT THE END OF BASIC TRAINING,

SHE'S GIVEN A ONE-YEAR
TOUR OF DUTY IN KOREA.

Clark: I WAS EXCITED,
BUT I WAS ALSO AFRAID,

BECAUSE I'D NEVER BEEN
OUT OF THE UNITED STATES.

WELL, I LOVE THE PLACE.
IT'S SO SWEET.

Narrator: BUT KRISTA QUICKLY FEEL RIGHT
AT HOME AT THE OVERSEAS ARMY BASE.

AND WHEN SHE'S GIVEN THE CHANCE
TO SPECIALIZE,

THE JUNKYARD PRINCESS FOLLOWS
IN HER FATHER'S FOOTSTEPS.

Anthony:
SHE WAS A TRUCK DRIVER.

IT'S JUST PRETTY MUCH DRIVING
THE FIELD TRUCKS AROUND

WHEN WE WOULD GO TO EXERCISES,

DRIVING THEM TO GET SERVICE
AND MAINTENANCE.

WELL, I'M GONNA GO.
I'LL SEE YOU TONIGHT, THOUGH.

OH, OKAY. YEAH.
GREAT.

Narrator: KRISTA'S ROOMMATE, ELIZABETH,
BECOMES HER ONLY FEMALE FRIEND.

THE OTHER SOLDIERS AT HER JOB
ARE ALL MALE.

I WAS ONE FEMALE IN A PLATOON
OF CLOSE TO 60 PEOPLE.

DID YOU GO BACK TO YOUR
PRE-MARRIAGE PROMISCUITY,

OR DID YOU LEARN -
UH-OH, YOU DID?

I WAS LIKE
THE BARRACKS' DOORKNOB.

EVERYBODY GOT A TURN.

WHY BE
THE "BARRACKS' DOORKNOB"?

BECAUSE IT GOT ME THE ATTENTION
I WANTED AND NEEDED.

Anthony: SHE WAS THAT KIND OF
PERSON THAT GAVE WHAT WAS ASKED FOR

TO RECEIVE THE ATTENTION
SHE WANTED.

Narrator: FOR THE NEXT YEAR,

KRISTA KEEPS THE PLATOON'S
GOSSIP MILL CHURNING.

THE EASE WITH WHICH KRISTA
IS ABLE TO HAVE SEX

WITH THESE GUYS IN THE ARMY

IS JUST HER NARCISSISTIC
PERSONALITY SEEKING ATTENTION

BECAUSE SHE WANTS TO
FEEL DESIRED.

SHE DOES NOT UNDERSTAND
THAT THESE GUYS

ARE JUST SLEEPING WITH HER
FOR BRAGGING RIGHTS

AND WILL NEVER TAKE HER HOME
TO MOM.

SHE HAS A HOLE IN HER HEART
FROM HER CHILDHOOD,

AND AS LONG AS SHE MISTAKES SEX
FOR LOVE,

IT WILL NEVER BE FILLED.

Narrator:
AT THE END OF THE YEAR,

SHE LEARNS
SHE'S BEING TRANSFERRED

TO A NEW ARMY BASE
BACK IN THE STATES.

IT COULD BE
THE PERFECT OPPORTUNITY

FOR KRISTA
TO GET HER LIFE IN ORDER

AND TAKE BACK RESPONSIBILITY
FOR HER SON, AIDEN.

THE ARMY SENDS YOU ANYWHERE.
IT'S WHEREVER THEY NEED YOU.

APPARENTLY THEY NEEDED
A TRUCK DRIVER IN NEW YORK.

Man: PRIVATE CLARK.

YES, SIR?
AT EASE.

Narrator: KRISTA'S THRIVING AT
HER NEW JOB IN UPSTATE NEW YORK.

ONE DAY, HER SERGEANT ASKS HER
TO HELP ORIENT A NEW SOLDIER.

I WAS SUPPOSED TO BE THERE TO
HELP HIM OUT, SHOW HIM AROUND,

GIVE HIM INFORMATION ON
WHO TO TALK TO IF HE NEEDS IT.

KRISTA IS INSTANTLY SMITTEN
WITH THE SHARP-DRESSED RECRUIT.

HE'S SMOOTH.

HE'S ALWAYS GOT HIS HAIR
LOOKING NICE.

HE'S KIND OF METRO,
I GUESS YOU COULD SAY.

THAT WOULD BE MY DESCRIPTION
OF HIM.

HANDSOME?
ABSOLUTELY.

WHERE YOU FROM?

BEAUTIFUL BROWN EYES,
NICE DARK HAIR.

HIS LIPS KIND OF HAD, LIKE,
A LILAC TINT TO THEM.

HOW DO YOU LIKE
THE BARRACKS?

IT'S - I - I MEAN... EH.
[ CHUCKLES ]

TIM'S ONLY 20,

BUT HE'S THE KIND OF GUY
THAT CAN GET ANY WOMAN HE WANTS.

TALL, OLIVE COMPLEXION,
DARK HAIR, DARK EYES,

BEAUTIFUL SMILE.

HE HAD GIRLS WAITING IN LINE.

I LIVE IN TOWN.
I DON'T LIVE ON BASE.

Narrator: KRISTA'S SURE
SHE DOESN'T STAND A CHANCE.

Clark: HE'S GOOD-LOOKING,

AND HE'S TOTALLY
OUT OF MY LEAGUE BY MY IDEALS.

YOU SHOULD COME BY
SOMETIME.

I DIDN'T THINK
HE'D HAVE ANY INTEREST IN ME.

HOW ABOUT TONIGHT?

Narrator: BUT THAT
DOESN'T STOP HER FROM TRYING.

YEAH, T-UH, TONIGHT...

1900 HOURS?

SHE INVITES HIM OVER,
AND HER BOLDNESS PAYS OFF.

[ BREATHING HEAVILY ]

BUT APPARENTLY
YOU GUYS HOOK UP.

I WAS SUPPOSED TO BE
A ONE-NIGHT STAND.

THEN WHY WASN'T IT
A ONE-NIGHT STAND?

DID YOU PURSUE HIM? DID HE
PURSUE YOU? WHAT HAPPENED?

IT WAS KIND OF BOTH.

WE COULDN'T
LEAVE EACH OTHER ALONE.

IT WAS SO MAGNETIC.

BIG CHEMISTRY.
YEAH.

SEXUAL CHEMISTRY.
ABSOLUTELY.

SOON, TIM IS COMING OVER
NIGHT AFTER NIGHT.

[ LAUGHS ]

HE SHOWERS KRISTA
WITH ATTENTION.

HE HAD A BARRACKS ROOM.

MM-HMM.

BUT HE ENDED UP GOING HOME
WITH ME TO MY APARTMENT

MORE OFTEN THAN NOT.

KRISTA IS BLOWN AWAY
BY HER LUCK.

WHAT I REMEMBER HER SAYING
WAS THAT HE WAS CUTE.

"COME ON, LOOK AT HIM.
HE'S CUTE, ISN'T HE?

HE'S ADORABLE."

HEY, BABY.

LIKE MY NEW DRESS?

Narrator: EVEN THOUGH KRISTA AND
TIM ARE PRACTICALLY LIVING TOGETHER,

THE PROMISCUOUS SOLIDER CAN'T
RESIST THE OCCASIONAL FLING.

AND TONIGHT'S GUEST IS CARL.

AS SOON AS I WOULD GET
COMFORTABLE, SOMETHING...

I DON'T KNOW
WHAT WOULD CAUSE IT,

BUT, LIKE, I'D DO SOMETHING
TO SELF-DESTRUCT.

I MEAN, SHE'S NOT THE TYPE OF
PERSON THAT IS JUST SATISFIED.

SHE'S GOT TO HAVE DRAMA
GOING IN HER LIFE.

Narrator:
KRISTA WON'T HAVE TO WAIT LONG.

A TRUCKLOAD OF DRAMA IS HEADED
STRAIGHT FOR HER FRONT DOOR.

WHERE YOU FROM?
FROM ILLINOIS.

Narrator:
25-YEAR-OLD KRISTA CLARK

HAS FINALLY FOUND WHAT
SHE'S WANTED ALL HER LIFE -

A HANDSOME, DOTING BOYFRIEND
WHO LAVISHES HER WITH ATTENTION.

BUT THE BOY-CRAZY SOLDIER
CAN'T PASS UP AN OPPORTUNITY

FOR A LITTLE FUN WITH A FRIEND.

[ LAUGHING ]

WHO THE HELL IS THIS GUY?!
HUH?!

TIM CAME HOME FROM WORK,
FROM WHAT I HEARD,

AND HE CAUGHT THEM
IN BED TOGETHER.

YEAH, GET UP! GET UP!
COME ON, MAN!

Clark: HEY, CALM DOWN!
HEY, CALM DOWN!

DON'T TOUCH ME!
GET OUT OF HERE!

STOP IT! STOP IT!

HE GRABBED HIM BY THE THROAT
AND PUSHED HIM AGAINST A WALL.

Connie: ALL HELL BROKE LOOSE.

YOU KNOW, I'M SURE THAT
THERE WAS A LOT OF FISTS FLYING

ABOUT THAT TIME.

Narrator:
KRISTA CALLS THE POLICE.

HE HAD MARKS ON HIM
JUST AS WELL AS SHE DID.

[ INDISTINCT SHOUTING ]

WHAT?

Narrator:
OFFICERS ARRIVE MOMENTS LATER

AND ARREST TIM.

HE HIT ME!
HE HIT ME!

I DIDN'T DO THAT!
I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING!

HE'S CHARGED
WITH DOMESTIC ABUSE

AND SENTENCED
TO SIX WEEKS BEHIND BARS.

ALL RIGHT, LET'S GO.
FINE. FINE.

Narrator: KRISTA IS GRANTED
A RESTRAINING ORDER.

AFTER THE FIGHT WITH TIM,

KRISTA DECIDES IT'S FINALLY TIME
TO GET HER PRIORITIES STRAIGHT,

WITH OR WITHOUT A MAN
IN HER LIFE.

I HADN'T SEEN MY SON IN SO LONG,
AND I MISSED HIM.

SHE GETS A ROOMMATE TO HELP
BRING IN SOME EXTRA CASH.

HI.

KRISTA ALSO THINKS STEPHANIE,
WHO'S PREGNANT,

CAN TAKE CARE OF HER SON, AIDEN,
WHILE SHE'S ON BASE.

I FIGURED THAT SINCE SHE WAS
GETTING READY TO HAVE A CHILD,

THAT SHE COULD HAVE TRAINING

THROUGH TAKING CARE OF MY SON,
AS WELL.

Narrator: KRISTA'S LIFE
SEEMS TO BE FALLING INTO PLACE.

BUT THERE'S ONE PROBLEM -
SHE MISSES TIM'S ATTENTION.

[ LAUGHS ]

AS THE WEEKS PASS,
REGRET SETS IN.

THE MAGNETISM
CAME BACK INTO PLAY AGAIN,

AND I GOT ALL STARRY-EYED.

Narrator: WHEN TIM COMPLETES
HIS SIX-WEEK SENTENCE,

HE CAN'T GO BACK TO THE ARMY.

HE WAS DISHONORABLY DISCHARGED
BECAUSE, BEING IN PRISON,

IT WOULD BE ALMOST LIKE
GOING AWOL.

Narrator: HE RETURNS TO
HIS PARENTS' HOUSE IN MICHIGAN.

WE TOLD HIM,
"WHEN YOU GETTING OUT?

"YOU DON'T NEED TO STAY THERE
NO MORE.

"YOU'RE NOT IN THE SERVICE
ANYMORE.

THERE'S NOTHING THERE FOR YOU.
COME HOME."

[ TELEPHONE RINGS ]

HELLO?

I'D LIKE TO SPEAK TO YOUR SON,
PLEASE. IS HE THERE YET?

Narrator: BUT KRISTA CAN'T BEAR
THE THOUGHT OF LOSING TIM

AND LAUNCHES A CAMPAIGN
TO WIN HIM BACK.

HE'S - HE'S BUSY. HE REALLY
CAN'T COME TO THE PHONE.

WELL, YOU BET-
WHY DON'T YOU JUST LET ME...

WHY DON'T YOU JUST LET ME
TALK TO HIM?

NO. IT - HE'S -
HE'S OUT IN THE YARD.

[ SIGHS ]
He's doing, uh...

GIVE ME THE PHONE.
JUST - YEAH, GIVE ME -

JUST GIVE ME THE PHONE.

KRISTA FINALLY
GETS TIM ON THE PHONE.

THIS IS A WOMAN THAT HAD
A PERSONAL-PROTECTION ORDER

ON HIM
AFTER HE GOT OUT OF JAIL.

SHE WAS LITERALLY
BREAKING THE LAW

WHEN SHE WAS SPEAKING TO HIM.

Narrator:
ONCE KRISTA HAS TIM'S ATTENTION,

SHE APOLOGIZES
FOR WHAT HAPPENED.

TIM: I miss your voice.

[ CHUCKLES ]

AND THEN SHE TRIES
TO LURE HIM BACK.

YOU WANT ME
TO PROVE IT TO YOU?

HER PLAN WORKS.

YEAH.

WE'RE - WE'RE TRYING
TO MAKE THINGS WORK.

Connie: HE HAD HAD CONVERSATIONS
WITH MY HUSBAND ABOUT THEIR SEX LIFE,

AND I THINK THAT HAD A LOT
TO DO WITH IT.

I SAID, "TIMMY,
I GOT A BAD FEELING ABOUT THIS."

SHE IS CRAZY.

"I REALLY WISH
YOU WOULDN'T DO THIS."

PLEASE. PLEASE.

Narrator: TIM IGNORES HIS MOM'S
ADVICE AND HEADS BACK TO NEW YORK

TO MOVE IN WITH KRISTA
AND HER ROOMMATE, STEPHANIE.

THERE IS NO LOGICAL REASON

WHY KRISTA AND TIM
SHOULD GET BACK TOGETHER.

OF COURSE
THERE'S THE SEXUAL ATTRACTION,

BUT FOR KRISTA,
IT'S HER NEED TO BE DESIRED.

SEXUAL ATTRACTION BY ITSELF

IS NEVER ENOUGH
TO MAKE ANY RELATIONSHIP WORK.

HEY, BABE.

Narrator: JUST TWO WEEKS
AFTER BEING RELEASED FROM JAIL,

TIM'S NOW LIVING
AT KRISTA'S APARTMENT.

WE WERE JUST LOOKING
FOR SOME JOBS

YOU MIGHT WANT TO APPLY FOR.
YEAH?

AND THINGS BETWEEN THE COUPLE
ARE AS HOT AS EVER.

[ BOTH LAUGHING ]

I MISSED YOU SO MUCH.

YOU'RE AMAZING.

SINCE HE'S NOT WORKING,

TIM SPENDS HIS TIME TAKING CARE
OF KRISTA'S SON, AIDEN.

TIM HAS A FONDNESS FOR CHILDREN.

HE SEEMED LIKE
HE WAS REALLY HAPPY

WHENEVER HE WAS AROUND
KRISTA'S SON.

Narrator:
AND THE FEELING IS MUTUAL.

AIDEN LOVES
HANGING OUT WITH TIM.

Connie:
THEY WENT TO THE PARK.

HE WANTED A HAT LIKE TIMMY'S,
HE WANTED SHOES LIKE TIMMY'S,

HE WANTED PANTS LIKE TIMMY'S.

LIKE, I'M - I'M -
NO, I'M GETTING WEARY, OKAY?

I - I CAN'T
KEEP DOING THIS.

WELL, HOW DO YOU THINK I FEEL?
YOU KEEP BRINGING THIS UP.

Narrator:
BUT IT DOESN'T TAKE LONG

FOR THE CRACKS IN KRISTA AND
TIM'S RELATIONSHIP TO RESURFACE.

...AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN!

IT'S A TRUST...

KRISTA'S ADORING BOYFRIEND
IS JEALOUS

AND SUSPECTS
SHE'S CHEATING ON HIM AGAIN.

THE COUPLE BICKERS CONSTANTLY

STOP MESSING WITH ME.
CAN YOU JUST LEAVE ME ALONE?

IT WAS JUST STUPID STUFF,
LITTLE THINGS

THAT THEY WOULD ARGUE ABOUT.

[ SIGHS ] HEY, MOM.

Narrator: BUT TO TIM'S MOTHER,
HE SEEMS MORE INFATUATED THAN EVER.

I'VE TRIED TO REASON
WITH HER...

SHE HAD A WAY WITH HIM, AND
I DON'T REALLY KNOW WHAT IT WAS.

I THINK THAT SHE JUST...

BUT WHATEVER IT WAS,
HE WASN'T GOING NOWHERE.

HE WAS STAYING RIGHT THERE.

I'M SORRY.

MOM, JUST GIVE ME A SEC.

YOU GOT LOVE.
YOU GOT OBSESSION.

OH, BAD MIXTURE.

BAD MIXTURE.

[ SIGHS ]

Narrator:
ONE EVENING IN LATE AUGUST,

SIX WEEKS AFTER TIM'S RELEASE
FROM JAIL,

KRISTA GETS HOME FROM THE ARMY
BASE TO FIND TIM IN A FRENZY.

5:43.

YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO BE HERE
AN HOUR AGO.

I WAS WORKING.
I WAS WORKING.

AIDEN IS SPENDING THE NIGHT
AT A FRIEND'S HOUSE.

HE SAYS, "OH, YOU'VE BEEN OUT
**** YOUR BOYFRIEND,

HAVEN'T YOU?"

AND I'M LIKE, "NO."

AS A POINT OF INFORMATION,

WERE YOU SEEING SOMEBODY ELSE
WHILE YOU WERE WITH TIM?

NO.

JUST TELL ME
WHAT'S GOING ON.

KRISTA POURS TIM A STIFF DRINK,
HOPING IT WILL MELLOW HIM OUT.

DRINK THIS. DRINK IT.

Clark: I FIGURED
IT WOULD QUIET HIM DOWN,

BECAUSE HE WAS GETTING
REALLY ANGRY.

WHAT'S HIS NAME?

Mather:
THEY WOULD DRINK IN MODERATION.

LIKE, HE AND KRISTA
WOULD BOTH MIX DRINKS.

Narrator: BUT TONIGHT,
TIM'S DRINKING HIS VODKA STRAIGHT.

HE WON'T DROP THE ISSUE,

AND KRISTA ISN'T IN THE MOOD
TO FIGHT.

FINE, OKAY?
WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR DINNER?

WE'RE NOT FINE UNLESS
YOU TELL ME WHO THE HELL IT IS.

AND I'M LIKE, "YOU KNOW WHAT?
I'M NOT DEALING WITH THIS.

I'M LEAVING."

I FIGURED BY THE TIME
THAT I CAME BACK,

THAT MAYBE I COULD BE ABLE
TO DEAL WITH HIM.

I'M LEAVING.
GET OF THE CAR AND TALK TO ME.

I'M GOING FOR A DRIVE!
TALK TO ME NOW.

Narrator: KRISTA TAKES OFF
TO A NEARBY PARK

TO GIVE TIM A CHANCE
TO COOL OFF.

BUT HE'S SURE SHE'S MEETING UP
WITH ANOTHER GUY,

AND HE'S HEARTBROKEN.

PREDICTABLY, THINGS WITH KRISTA
AND TIM ARE NOT GOING WELL.

KRISTA MAY BE OVER
THE BIG FIGHT,

BUT TIM WALKED IN AND SAW HER
HAVING SEX WITH ANOTHER MAN.

HE MAY THINK HE'S FORGIVEN HER,
BUT THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS,

THAT'S A MEMORY
HE WILL NEVER FORGET.

EVERY TIME WE TALK,
IT TURNS TO THIS.

Mather: AFTER SHE LEFT,
TIM CAME AND SAT NEXT TO ME

AND TALKED TO ME
FOR A LITTLE BIT.

HE WAS REALLY UPSET.

HIS EYES WERE RED RIMMED,
LIKE HE HAD BEEN CRYING.

HE WAS TALKING ABOUT KRISTA
AND HOW HE WISHED

THAT IT COULD BE BETTER
THAN ARGUING ALL THE TIME.

IT SEEMED THAT HE WAS JUST TRYING
TO MAKE HIMSELF FEEL BETTER,

TRYING TO NUMB THE PAIN
IN ALCOHOL.

HE WASN'T REALLY
SLURRING HIS WORDS,

BUT I NOTICED THAT HE WASN'T
WALKING IN A STRAIGHT LINE.

[ DOOR OPENS ]

WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?

Narrator:
AT MIDNIGHT, KRISTA CLAIMS

SHE RETURNS TO THE APARTMENT
TO FIND TIM WASTED

AND ANGRIER THAN EVER.

JUST COME BACK TO YOUR HOUSE
AND SLUT IT UP SOME MORE, HUH?

Clark: AND HE STILL,

"OH, YOU'VE BEEN **** YOUR
BOYFRIEND," DA, DA, DA, DA, DA.

I LEFT BECAUSE YOU WERE...

Narrator: THE COUPLE'S HAD
THEIR FAIR SHARE

OF VICIOUS SHOUTING MATCHES,

BUT TIM TAKES IT A STEP FURTHER,
AND THINGS GET PHYSICAL.

TELL ME WHAT YOU DID!

WHY DON'T YOU TELL ME
WHAT YOU **** DID?!

AND THEN
I SAW TIM PUNCH KRISTA.

WHY DON'T YOU JUST SHUT UP
AND LET ME TALK FOR A MINUTE?

HEY! STOP IT!

[ GASPS ]

SHE JUST GAVE HIM THIS LOOK,

LIKE "IF LOOKS COULD KILL"
SORT OF LOOK.

Narrator: KRISTA PANICS.

I'M FOCUSED ON KEEPING ALIVE,

'CAUSE HE'S TRYING TO KILL ME,
I FEEL LIKE.

Narrator: KRISTA FRANTICALLY
LOOKS FOR SOMETHING

TO DEFEND HERSELF WITH.

I GRAB THE FIRST KNIFE
THAT COMES TO MY HAND.

IT HAPPENS TO BE THE BIG ONE...

A BUTCHER KNIFE.

WHO THE HELL IS THIS GUY?!
HUH?!

Narrator: THINGS HAVEN'T BEEN THE
SAME BETWEEN 25-YEAR-OLD KRISTA CLARK

AND HER BOYFRIEND, TIM,
SINCE HE CAUGHT HER CHEATING.

TELL ME WHAT YOU DID!

AN ALCOHOL-FUELED ARGUMENT
HAS LED TO VIOLENCE,

AND THEY'VE BOTH
REACHED THEIR BREAKING POINT.

GET AWAY!
YOU STAY AWAY!

KRISTA'S NOW POINTING
A BUTCHER KNIFE AT HER LOVER.

STAY AWAY FROM ME!

SHE WAS KIND OF HOLDING IT LIKE
SOMEBODY MIGHT HOLD A SWORD.

Clark: I'M THINKING,
"THIS WILL SCARE HIM.

"THIS WILL MAKE HIM
LEAVE ME ALONE.

"THIS WILL MAKE HIM BACK AWAY
SO I CAN BE SAFE."

BACK! STAY AWAY!

Narrator: ACCORDING TO KRISTA,
THE NEXT TIME TIM LUNGES TOWARDS HER,

SHE'S FORCED TO GO
ON THE OFFENSIVE.

GET BACK!
HE COMES AT ME.

I SWIPE.
STAY AWAY!

HE COMES AT ME AGAIN.
I DO A LITTLE JAB.

I SEE A LITTLE BIT OF BLOOD,
AND I'M FREAKING OUT LIKE,

"OH, MY GOD,
I WISH HE WOULD JUST STOP.

PLEASE, JUST STOP."

STAY AWAY!

Narrator: KRISTA CLAIMS TIM
THROWS HIMSELF AT HER AGAIN...

WITH FATAL CONSEQUENCES.

STAY AWAY!

HE FORCES THE KNIFE
INTO HIMSELF.

Mather: I DIDN'T REALLY EXPECT
IT TO GO THAT FAR AT ALL.

I DIDN'T THINK THAT KRISTA
WOULD EVER TRY TO HURT HIM

'CAUSE SHE SAID
THAT SHE LOVED HIM SO MUCH.

Narrator: BUT STEPHANIE'S
WITNESSED THE FIGHT

AND CLAIMS TIM
WAS TRYING TO DISARM KRISTA

AND DEFUSE THE SITUATION.

TIM MOVED TOWARDS HER LIKE HE
WAS GOING TO GO FOR THE KNIFE,

AND KRISTA
MADE STABBING MOTIONS.

GIVE ME THE KNIFE.
NO!

I THINK HE WAS TRYING
TO GET THE KNIFE AWAY FROM HER.

HE GRABBED HER SHOULDER,
AND SHE TURNED AND STABBED HIM.

I WAS FIVE MONTHS PREGNANT
AT THE TIME,

AND I CAN REMEMBER THINKING,

"THERE'S NOTHING I CAN DO,
BECAUSE I DON'T WANT HER

POINTING THAT KNIFE
AT MY STOMACH."

STAY AWAY!

THAT KNIFE HIT THAT MAIN ARTERY,
AND I MEAN, HE - IT WAS OVER.

[ BREATHING HEAVILY ]

TIMMY!

OH, MY - OH, MY GOD.
OH, MY GOD!

HE TOLD HER THAT
HE WAS GOING TO BLEED TO DEATH.

Narrator:
KRISTA CALLS THE POLICE.

[ Sobbing ]
MY BOYFRIEND'S BEEN STABBED.

Dr. Jordan:
YOU CALLED THE POLICE.

I DID, BECAUSE I WANTED TO
TRY TO GET HELP FOR HIM.

I DIDN'T WANT HIM TO DIE.

I WAS SO AFRAID.

I LOVED HIM.
I DIDN'T WANT HIM TO BE HURT.

I WANTED HIM TO LIVE.

I'M SORRY!

Mather: SHE TOLD THE DISPATCHER
THAT HER BOYFRIEND HAD BEEN STABBED,

AND THEY ASKED HER
WHO STABBED HIM,

AND SHE TOLD THEM THAT SHE DID.

AND THEN THEY TRIED TO
WALK HER THROUGH CPR.

HER VOICE WAS REALLY OFF.

IT DIDN'T REALLY SOUND LIKE
IT WAS HER.

HE'S NOT WAKING UP!

SHE SOUNDED ALMOST HYSTERICAL.

[ POUNDING ON DOOR ]

QUICK, OVER HERE.

OH, HELP! HELP HIM!

I NEED YOU TO GET UP.

Clark: THEY WANTED TO GET ME
OUT OF THE HOUSE

BEFORE THEY BROUGHT
ANY MEDICAL PERSONNEL IN.

I NEED YOU TO GET UP NOW,
MA'AM.

AND I WAS PERFECTLY WILLING.
PERFECTLY WILLING.

LIKE A LAMB TO SLAUGHTER.

STEP AWAY FROM THE BODY...

I WENT AS QUICK AS I COULD SO
THAT HE COULD GET MEDICAL HELP.

Narrator: TIM'S RUSHED TO THE
HOSPITAL, BUT IT'S TOO LATE.

HE'S PRONOUNCED DEAD ON ARRIVAL.

TIMMY?

TIM'S MOTHER GETS THE CALL
SHE WAS DREADING.

Connie: I ALMOST PASSED OUT.

BUT THAT RAGE CAME UP
INSIDE OF ME.

AND I KEPT POUNDING ON THE CHAIR
I WAS SITTING IN.

"TIMMY'S DEAD. TIMMY'S DEAD.

THAT BITCH KILLED HIM."

I'M GOING HOME SOON.
OH, ARE YOU?

Narrator:
BUT NOT EVERYONE FEELS THAT WAY.

I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT.
THAT WAS NOT WHO KRISTA WAS.

SHE'S TOO SWEET FOR THAT.

SHE'S VULNERABLE.
SHE'S NAIVE.

SHE'S NOT THE KIND OF PERSON
WHO WOULD HURT A FLY.

I LOVED IT.
I THOUGHT IT WAS FANTASTIC.

KRISTA MAY BE
A VERY SWEET GIRL,

BUT SHE HAS A LOT
WORKING AGAINST HER -

THIS VERY DYSFUNCTIONAL
CHILDHOOD,

THIS DESPERATE NEED
FOR LOVE AND ATTENTION,

MAYBE A PERSONALITY DISORDER,
AND VERY, VERY BAD JUDGMENT.

IN THE END, KRISTA WAS UNABLE
TO BREAK THESE PATTERNS,

AND TIM PAID THE ULTIMATE PRICE.

Judge: KRISTA CLARK...

Narrator:
AT THE TRIAL ONE YEAR LATER,

KRISTA IS CONVICTED
OF MANSLAUGHTER

AND GIVEN
THE MAXIMUM SENTENCE -

26 YEARS IN THE NEW YORK STATE
DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS.

SHE SHOWED NO REMORSE.

IF IT WAS UP TO ME...

THE JUDGE TOLD HER,

"IF I COULD GIVE YOU MORE TIME
THAN YOU'RE GETTING, I WOULD."

YOU KNOW, HE WAS MURDERED
RIGHT HERE IN HIS OWN COUNTRY

BY HIS FELLOW SOLDIER.

Narrator: KRISTA IS CURRENTLY AT
BEDFORD HILLS CORRECTIONAL FACILITY

IN NEW YORK,

WHERE SHE SAYS
SHE'S TURNED OVER A NEW LEAF.

CAN YOU PUT YOUR LIFE BACK
TOGETHER AGAIN AFTER THIS?

[ SIGHS ] DEPENDS ON WHAT GOD
DECIDES FOR ME.

IF I'M SUPPOSED TO LIVE
A DECENT LIFE, SO BE IT.

IF NOT,
ONLY TIME WILL TELL.

I'M DOING THE BEST I CAN.