Elexis was just beginning her teenage years when her father got out of prison. He had been a mere phantom in her growing up years, the occasional phone call reminding Elexis of his absence. It was her eighth grade promotion that set the stage for their introduction. The brief interaction reminded her of the chasm between them that had been growing wider all these years. “I wanted him to understand how I was doing and how I’ve grown. I wanted him to understand me and who I was becoming.”
With her early teenage years also came the birth of a half-brother. Within a short period of time, Elexis’ world had been knocked sideways and turned upside down. Elexis was barely hanging on. She yearned for her mother’s affections, but found herself reviling the woman whom she needed the most. “I didn’t like how I was treating my mom. I said she was controlling, but she was doing everything she could to help me succeed and have a good life...I blamed her for my dad not being there. I was hurt, so I took it out on her.” |