Slipping from my bed before the first light of dawn breaks across the mountain, I head downstairs to escape the manor before my mother awakens. Last night after coming home, she gave me an ear full. Her never ending rant about how I was disrespectful and how she’s raised me better slipped in one ear and out the other. I love her to death, more than anyone will ever know, but she has never taken the time to actually get to know me.

The real me, that is.

My ...