March 1974 - June 1975

I am the mother of 8 beautiful kids,
5 girls and 3 boys.
The oldest, Val, is 14 now~
The youngest is a year old.
I cannot take this abuse from their father anymore~
No more black eyes~
No more broken bones~
No more threats on my life~
No more living in fear~
There has to be a way out...

~Difficult separation~

~Divorce~

I'm on my own now~
A single Mom with 8 little ones to provide for,
How can I do it?
I've never had a job before~
"You will give me a job,
waiting tables in your bar?"
That is the only work I can get.
If I work nights,
Val can sit with her sisters and brothers~
After all, they will be in bed

Telephone calls at work~
Val has run away,
Again.

I call friends and neighbors~
No one has seen her..
I walk the streets day and night,
looking for her.

I wait~
I worry~
I cry~
Where is she?
Is she all right?
Has she been hurt?
Why is she doing this?
Have I put too much responsibility on a 14 year old?

A wonderful friend comes into our lives.
He loves the kids~
The kids love him~
We get married.
Everyone is there, except,
Val~
She is in a foster home.
She was found - She was arrested,
She was sent to a home.

We move from this horrible town.
Everyone, except,
Val.
After a long period of investigation of our family life~
Val comes home.

I love you, Val
I am sorry, Val