He was restless, insecure, lacking the ever-present guidance of a father figure, and always searching for a new friend to fill the void. But for Ricardo Martinez, those early years provided some unforgettable times. In the housing projects of Southern Alabama where he came of age, every day was a new adventure-and neighborhood hijinks were an everyday affair.

Now, at forty-eight, Ricardo looks back at some of the most silly, serious, and profound moments from the years he'll never forget. Follow young Ricardo through the ups and downs of childhood and adolescence with the help of a...