Pocket of Pain: From Ballet Shoes to Combat Boots, a memoir (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9798988539346)

Set in Northern and Richmond, Virginia, in the mid-'80s, Pocket of Pain is a poignant and inspirational coming-of-age story about a young woman who endures gaslighting and abuse, who eventually finds the courage to break free.

As her parents' marriage unravels, she falls into a relationship with a boy five years older-only to discover he is even more controlling than her father. But when she goes to college, leaving him behind, she begins to redefine herself and imagine a different future as she submerges herself in the '80s Richmond punk rock scene-a world of loud, hard-core music, experimental art, thrift-store clothes, and a curious boy who, for the first time, really sees her.

Ultimately, a dark secret from the past surfaces, and she is forced to take another hard look at the relationship that she thought was over, before she can finally leave the past behind.

Like many teens, music plays an essential role in her evolution; classic rock and new punk bands create the soundtrack to the story, while bold '80s fashion sets the scene.

Pocket of Pain is both heartbreaking and hopeful-a vital conversation piece for anyone who has endured gaslighting and abuse. It reminds us that we are not alone. It also reveals the resilience and optimism this young woman always held on to. Through her story, we experience her journey as she takes us through the euphoria of her quest to find happiness.