The Branded Ones

Chapter 1

Thank you to Alex Clark for reading my early drafts and accurately surmising there might be some grains of truth sprinkled within the fiction. Indeed, I started writing this story when I was nineteen and the creating of it has spanned more than two decades, covering all three age demographics represented in this story. My gratitude also goes to Darren Lines, who sharpened up my words and helped me keep the pace cracking; it was a pleasure to work with you. I am indebted to all the teachers and students I have ever had the good fortune to encounter. You have shown me education comes in many different forms. Some lessons seem much harder than others, but my hope is they will all lead to deep self-understanding. I especially wrote this story to celebrate the ones who don’t always feel like they fit in or have been branded by others for circumstances beyond their control. To my dear husband Ben and fabulous grown-up too fast children, you truly are the most wonderful people.