This story begins in a nightmare and ends in a cemetery. It is a story of searching for the love that society assumes is a given. The character learns and grows and is finally able to deal with the challenges and begin a healthy life.

The story is told from the perspective of the child, changing as he grows into a young adult and then a man. This brings you closer to the experiences as they happen. Similar stories are told from the perspective of an adult looking back, this one is age specific.

This is also the story of a boy. It is rare that stories of abuse are written about a male character. It is harder for men to deal with these subjects, and so they remain quiet.

The feelings and depression are universal. They are not boy or girl specific. The twisted beliefs and the life long challenges are the same for both males and females.

Larry works for the Chamber of Commerce in his hometown. He is a positive person with passions for good causes; active in workforce development efforts and influencing educational institutions to reform with a new focus on work skills, the work ethic, and making education relevant.

Larry’s career has been in communications. He writes a monthly column in a popular city magazine. He is also a musician, playing tuba in several concert bands and his own brass quartet, and is an avid collector of toys.

His life was a struggle at times, but he is now recognized for his truly positive attitude and his belief in people.

PAIN, WHITE LIGHT, LIKE LIGHTNING ALL AROUND, SCREAMING, HURT, BLOOD, MORE PAIN... the air was charged with electricity as it turned red, then orange, then white with rage as he was being beaten, kicked, scratched. It was a furious vortex swirling around him, but he knew he could stop it all if he could just say the words. He started to scream: "This is a dr-- ," but his mother’s hand slapped over his mouth and he was told to shut up or he would get worse! Henry had hoped it was just a dream, but he knew better now. He knew he had to take what he deserved. He tried to think what he had done wrong, but he couldn’t think of anything but the way he felt. Then he was down on the floor... it was almost over now. A final kick and it was over. He waited for a while and then went downstairs to clean himself up.

He was careful not to disturb his grandparents. If they found out he would be in even more trouble. He tried before to tell them, but things just got worse. He cried in the bathroom until the sun peeked into the window. It was time to get ready for school.

School was no better than usual, but it was Friday and Henry liked Fridays. This was to be an unusual Friday for Henry.

Normally Henry went to the auction barn with his grandparents and then came home to watch "Friday Night Fights" with them; but tonight his mother was home. She said something about suspended or something, but that her union steward would fix things for her or else he’d have to get his "jollys" from someone else.

It is surprising how much an eight year old understands that adults think he doesn’t. Henry knew all about "jollys". His mother used to say that is what she and Henry were doing back on the other side of town.

Henry used to want to be close to his mother, but now he felt guilty because he felt better when she wasn’t around. Henry knew he was wrong to think that way, but he just couldn’t help it.