That Bitch! She had drained him. Her nagging, her insults and her constant demands had stolen years from my father.

When he opened the door, I wanted to cry. The once handsome, funloving man with a contagious laugh and a smile that would warm anybody's heart had all been erased. All that was left were his hollow empty eyes and the frown lines that surrounded his mouth telling me that nothing had changed.

     I never wanted to leave home. I was only seventeen.  If I wanted to survive I had to get out. Dad knew then, I had no choice. With my backpack and $150.00 to my name, I walked out .Seven years, $250,000.00 later, I am back, wondering if I should tell them my