Secret Family

About the Book

Like most seven year olds, Rene Gaithers’ primary concern is playing games and watching cartoons. Her mother, father, grandmother and siblings are the center of her world. She is the lovingly spoiled youngest child and her world is perfect. But when Yo’ Mama jokes start a school yard fight, awareness sinks in that there is something wrong with her treasured family. The truth is eventually revealed. Through her teenage years and into adulthood, Rene struggles with a sense of inadequacy and shame of being an illegitimate daughter in a Secret Family. Rene’s dream is to have a real family. Despite using her parents’ examples of want not to do, her relationships fail. Even her steadfast friendship with Kenny Sherman turns sour when they take things to the next level. Rene is left devastated by Kenny’s unimaginable betrayal. Does true love really exist? If so, is she worthy enough to receive it or will the sins of her mother destroy any chance of happiness? Secret Family is based in part on the author’s life.

About the Author

This project is personal to me in different ways. Just the act of writing it has been a personal accomplishment, submitting it to a publishing house is a personal goal and having it published would be a personal triumph. However, the story itself comes from my own personal struggles. So often we think that we are the only person going through something difficult - that our situation is worse than anyone else’s. Of course that’s not true, but it sure feels that way. I’m not so self-involved as to believe that mine is the only "Secret Family". That my mother was the only woman to sleep with and have children by a married man or that my father is the only man to have cheated on his wife and produce children with another woman. Not by any stretch of the imagination does this make me special. But the circumstances of a child’s birth and upbringing do impact that child and therefore impacts society. My guess is that there are thousands born into secret families. This book represents just one prospective. It would be wonderful if by writing this book someone else struggling within a "Secret Family" (be it the mother, father, son or daughter) is helped. _______________________________________ Arlene Fairley Marshall was born in Washington DC and raised along with her siblings in the city’s Greenleaf Housing Projects. She attended DC Public Schools graduating from H.D. Woodson Senior High. To support her young son, Arlene entered the workforce immediately after high school. Her work career has largely included supervisory and management positions within the financial, insurance and tourism industries. Arlene and her husband live in Washington, DC. They have three beautiful children and one granddaughter. Arlene accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior in 2004. Her favorite Bible passage is Philippians 4:4 thru 7. It is a reminder not to let life’s troubles steal your joy. To “Rejoice in the Lord always!” and worry about nothing.