The untimely death of Meryl Jean Strom's mother forced her to evolve from a thirteen year old child who never had to pick up after herself, to one expected to do chores, work as a field hand and learn how to chop and pick cotton. Soon after cancer took her mother, Meryl's alcoholic father placed her in the care of his sixty-seven year old mother, allowing him to run from his problems, as usual. Meryl was somewhat dumped on her Grandmother's front porch with only her clothes, her potential, and a list of 'nevers' that she hoped to experience never again. Belt lashings from her drunken father,...