Chapters
Inside the Book
Chapter
Previews
26
01
Chapter One
A Saturday morning turns into a nightmare when Craig’s father leaves town and he is left alone with the woman whose cruelty has already begun shaping his childhood. What starts as household chores quickly becomes a life-changing confrontation that forces him to question the meaning of family and survival.
02
Chapter Two:
Craig looks back to his beginnings in a South Carolina orphanage and the adoption that placed him in a family tied to the world of professional baseball. Behind the promise of a fresh start lies the foundation of a far more complicated future.
03
Chapter Three:
Surrounded by the excitement of the Brooklyn Dodgers and the people who made baseball history, young Craig experiences a childhood filled with privilege and wonder. Yet subtle changes at home hint that innocence will not last forever.
04
Chapter Four:
As new siblings arrive and family dynamics shift, Craig struggles to understand where he belongs. What appears to be a normal childhood from the outside slowly begins revealing deeper fractures beneath the surface.
05
Chapter Five
A new school, stricter rules, and growing tensions at home push Craig into unfamiliar territory. The violence he experiences becomes harder to ignore, while the adults around him remain silent.
06
Chapter Six
At school and at home, Craig learns that pain often hides behind ordinary routines. While the world celebrates baseball heroes, he discovers how loneliness and fear can quietly shape a child’s view of life.
07
Chapter Seven
Banished to the basement and burdened with increasing responsibilities, Craig watches his family drift further away from him. Even moments of happiness are overshadowed by the sense that another storm is coming.
08
Chapter Eight
As childhood gives way to adolescence, Craig begins relying more on his own instincts than the adults around him. Independence becomes both a survival tool and a source of conflict.
09
Chapter Nine
New friendships and outside influences offer glimpses of freedom. For the first time, Craig begins imagining a life beyond the limits imposed on him at home.
10
Chapter Ten
The struggle between hope and hardship intensifies. Craig faces choices that will influence the direction of his future while learning that resilience often comes at a cost.
11
Chapter Eleven
Growing older brings greater awareness of the world around him. Family tensions, personal disappointments, and unexpected opportunities collide during a pivotal season of change.
12
Chapter Twelve
Craig discovers that survival is not simply enduring hardship but finding people willing to stand beside you. New relationships begin altering his outlook on life.
13
Chapter Thirteen
The search for belonging continues as Craig navigates challenges that test his confidence and determination. Every lesson seems earned the hard way.
14
Chapter Fourteen
Life outside the family home offers new possibilities, but freedom comes with risks. Craig learns that independence can be as frightening as captivity.
15
Chapter Fifteen
Unexpected mentors and life experiences provide guidance at a moment when Craig needs it most. The path ahead remains uncertain, but the future finally seems possible.
16
Chapter Sixteen
As adulthood approaches, Craig faces difficult realities about family, identity, and personal responsibility. The choices he makes now will shape everything that follows.
17
Chapter Seventeen
The world grows larger and more complicated. Craig finds himself confronting challenges that demand courage, adaptability, and a willingness to leave the familiar behind.
18
Chapter Eighteen
Military service and the looming reality of Vietnam bring new dangers and new perspectives. The boy who once struggled to survive at home must now face challenges far beyond it.
19
Chapter Nineteen
War leaves its mark in ways both visible and invisible. Craig navigates experiences that test his strength and forever change how he views life.
20
Chapter Twenty
Returning home proves more complicated than expected. Old wounds, new ambitions, and changing circumstances create both opportunity and uncertainty.
21
Chapter Twenty-One
The 1970s bring new adventures, friendships, and ambitions. Craig embraces the energy of a changing world while searching for a place where he truly belongs.
22
Chapter Twenty-Two
Career opportunities, personal risks, and unexpected twists push Craig into unfamiliar territory. Every success seems accompanied by a fresh challenge.
23
Chapter Twenty-Three
Relationships, business ventures, and hard-earned lessons shape the next stage of Craig’s journey. The pursuit of stability remains an ongoing battle.
24
Chapter Twenty-Four
Life’s victories and disappointments arrive side by side. Craig reflects on the choices that brought him here and the people who influenced his path.
25
Chapter Twenty-Five
Years of experience begin revealing larger truths about resilience, forgiveness, and personal growth. The story starts coming full circle.
26
Chapter Twenty-Six
The final October brings reflection, perspective, and understanding. Craig looks back on the journey that carried him from an orphanage to a life filled with unforgettable stories.