It Does Matter: “Inspired by True Events . . .” a Childhood of Neglect, Trauma and Abuse.

By Jo Steele

Amy is nine years old when her life spirals out of control. There is nothing she can do as her mother turns to alcohol and her father moves hundreds of miles away. She cannot control the verbal abuse she has to suffer and is not strong enough to stop the physical abuse she suffers.

And those abuses are nearly nothing compared to the sexual abuse she is forced to endure.

With a broken heart and a broken spirit, Amy goes through the days that turn into years.

But honestly, how long can a young girl carry the shame and humiliation?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Nov 10, 2017
• ISBN: 9781543460629

Jo Steele

*to follow*

Book preview

Copyright © 2017 by Jo Steele.

ISBN:                  Softcover                  978-1-5434-6061-2

                             eBook                       978-1-5434-6062-9

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Rev. date: 11/09/2017

Xlibris

1-888-795-4274

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Contents

Dedication

Acknowledgment

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Epilogue

Dedication

In writing this book I have been fortunate to have had help from many people.

First, my gratitude to James Neal from Xlibris Publishing. His advice, expertise and patience are appreciated.

To Pam Patrie, my dear friend and sister-in-law, you listened to me talk, heard me cry, answered every call I made to you (even on your cruise)! I don’t know how I can thank you enough. You helped me give a voice to my story. Thank you!!

To Shelly Davis, my best friend, you are the strongest person I know! Whether it is a phone call for advice or an hour of laughter, you are always there. I love you for that. Stay the way you are, Shelly. Just don’t caught!

To Hunter Nelson for creating the Facebook page and keeping it updated. I can’t thank you enough! Thank you & love you!

To Robyn Steele for letting her daughter, Raelee, pose for the cover of this book, I am so grateful to you. I want the readers to know that Raelee is a beautiful, happy 11 year old girl who is very loved and protected as every young girl should be.

To my friends Brian Kienert for always giving me his time and his perspective, for being like a brother to me and for knowing more about me than anyone else - Thank You. You are the best, Brian! To Ryan Garceau for giving me insight that helped me understand things I did not know or realize. To Barb Watters for all your help at home and your happy mood when I was under pressure and you just kept on humming. For making me laugh and take a break. I love you for that even if I was plotting where to bury you (just kidding).

A special thanks to Jill Williams. You know why. Thank You.

And most of all, thank you to my family.

Thank you to my children, Bobbi, Tanner and Jerrad. I love you all so very much. I am so proud of the person each of you has become. You have given me the gift of being your mom. And it is an amazing and incredible gift, indeed. I hope each of you finds happiness and love. Thank you all for sharing your life with me.

To my fiancé, Ken Smith. What do I say? You are my rock to lean on, my shoulder to cry on, you have the arms that hold me tight when I am overwhelmed with memories I really believed were gone. You have seen me fall apart and held me never, ever questioning what was wrong because you already knew. I love you, Ken. You are kind and gentle and you are protective and caring.

Finally, this book is dedicated to the Survivors. Please, never be afraid to ask for help, to go to counseling, check for a meeting in your area or start a meeting place in your area. Talk to someone. And remember, You Matter! You Survived! It wasn’t your fault!

All the memories. Everything!

It Does Matter!

Acknowledgment

In writing this book I have had to relive experiences that were very painful, to say the least. And in doing so I have a greater understanding of why I do some of the things I in my