those long, summer nights, when all is loud late into the night
when you finally decide to rest your eyes, you can't imagine falling asleep
you think and think, and have too many ideas, you imagine what your could have said,
or could have done differently
you could have made one person happy, by making yourself sad
but instead you chose the selfish choice
you wish you could fall asleep
and not think about all the mistakes
or promises made ...

   On May 1st, 1928, in Willis Heights, Mississippi I began my life as Olen Eugene McCalmon, Dad promptly nicknamed me Skeeter. He had handed me a silver dollar, and said “Here, Skeeter, this is yours.”. Mom picked my name, Olen, because an old relative had the same name, but she also just like the sound of it.
   
   Before I was born, Dad moved my family off the old farm in Booneville, Mississippi, to a small town...

2000: A 14-year-old girl is lured by her new 'friend', to go on an outing with her. They come back safe and go out the next week. The 'friend' leaves the young girl with a strange man, who says he will take her home. He takes her to his house, claiming he is 'getting his coat'. He returns several hours later drunk. He physically and sexually harms her and forces her to stay with him. He proceeds sells her at...

You will find me
in the deepest darkest caverns
You will find me
in the storm-filled ocean
You will find me
in the highest steepest mountain
You will find me
You find me

You won’t give up searching for me
You won’t stop looking for me
You are abba father
You are the holy one
the great redeemer
You are the Father’s Son
You will find me
You find me
 

Part I
    Line. Dot. Dot. Curve. Line. Dot. Dot. Curve.

   This is the pattern I follow as my hand strokes across the thin, flat, piece of paper. The lines are smooth and centered, and it makes my mind feel calm. The black ink seeps into the eggshell white drawing pad, and I grimace a little as I accidentally hold the pen in the same place for too long. I shake it off, and try to stay concentrated....