Felicia Campbell
Young Ronnie Johnson learns the hard lessons in life as she matures in a large and diverse adopted family. Being the youngest and always last in line, she grows dependent on other people to take care of her, particularly her older brother, Carson. As Ronnie matures, Carson continues to nurture this false belief.
During adolescence, a horrific experience shatters Ronnie’s world when Carson is not there to save her, for the first time in her life. She is, at once, exposed to the ugly truth that there’s not always an easy ticket out named Carson.
Turning all her emotions into anger, she almost self-destructs, and is forced to seek help. While rehabilitating, she battles to rediscover her identity and to define her purpose in life.
Felicia Campbell was raised in Lithonia and LaGrange, Georgia. As a young girl, she discovered her inclination for writing with the help of her closest siblings. Felicia was inspired to compose her first novel at the age of eleven, and has taken writing seriously ever since. Today, Felicia continues to write in various genres—her favorites being coming of age, juvenile fiction, and fantasy. She is also the author of The Uproar.
“Me and your father want to discuss some new rules,” mama started.
“Oh, God!” Vinny said.
“Don’t use God’s name in vain,” mama warned.
“Lay it on me,” Vinny sighed.
“Your father and I have decided that… from now on, there should be no girls sleeping in the boys’ rooms, and no boys sleeping in the girls’ rooms.”
Vinny cut his eyes at me.
Is that why mama was staring at me all weird this morning? What was wrong with sleeping with Carson? It’s not like he was a stranger or something. Gosh! He was my brother.
… I guess deep down inside, mama thought that no matter how much she tried to stress to us that we were brothers and sisters, she couldn’t ignore the fact that we really weren’t.
“And from now on, the downstairs bathroom is strictly for the boys and the upstairs bathroom is strictly for the girls. And the middle bathroom must and I mean must be knocked on before being entered by anyone.”
“We always knock before entering,” Dodie said.
“Just listen to me!” mama demanded.
“What brought this on?” Johannie said, sarcastically.
“Just agree!” mama told us.
“We agree,” we all said.
“Good!” daddy smiled.
“Perfect. Now, finish your breakfast, before you’re late. I’ve got an early customer and can’t drive any of you to school.”
“Though if I had a car, that wouldn’t be a problem,” Johannie slid in.
Mama gave her a look, then daddy answered, “You wish.”
