Growing up in Atlanta during the 30s and 40s I was groomed to be a proper Southern Belle but my childhood was full of many secrets and lies. I had a so-called "mother," many "mothers," two "fathers," various brothers and sisters, and I attended thirteen schools. A life filled with absent philandering parents, jealous siblings, hateful stepmothers, and a pet chimp named Charlotte, I dreamed of leaving it all behind to start my life in New York City. I was fresh out of college in the 50s when I turned my back on the South to become who I wanted to be while getting into all kinds of mischief. Some have told me these stories from my life are unbelievable but I was always my best living in the moment no matter where it took me-
be damned the consequences!