These words were eighteen-year-old Dave Pelzer's declaration of independence to his mother, a woman who had abused him with shocking brutality. He lived to tell his courageous story,but his life remained a continual struggle.

All those years you tried your best to break me, and I'm still here . . . I don't blame others for my problems. I stand on my own. And one day you'll see, I'm going to make something of myself.'

These words were eighteen-year-old Dave Pelzer's declaration of independence to his mother, a woman who had abused him with shocking brutality. He lived to tell his courageous story,but his life remained a continual struggle. Dave felt rootless and awkward, an outcast haunted by memories of his years as the bruised, cowering 'It' locked in his mother's basement.

Acknowledgments

Author's Note

1 The End

2 Fly Away

3 Letter from Home

4 Wishful Thinking

5 Slip Away

6 Regroup

7 Foolish Crusade

8 Changes

9 Heaven Sent

10 The Source

11 A Personal Matter

12 The Long Farewell

13 The Last Dance

14 Resolve

15 All Good Things

Epilogue

Perspectives

About the Author