Written by a national bestselling novelist, these short stories provide a realistic peek into the lives of young adults trying to make it in a world that doesn't play fair. Always thought-provoking, sometimes controversial, the Life Matters Series offers relatable characters in realistic circumstances that matter in the lives of young adults. Behind Closed Doors - Nicole isn't trying to be disrespectful to her mother, but Nicole can't continue to live beneath the burden of her mother's severe hoarding. How can she overcome the ever-growing monster in her own home? The Delgados' Last Supper - Marco Delgado's parents have always argued constantly, but he was accustomed to their bickering. So why are his parents trying to make a huge change this late in the game? A Family Problem I & II - John is trying his best to keep his sisters safe from a stranger. The biggest danger, however, is their father, whose drunken rages threaten to tear their family apart. The Price of Freedom - Nicholas never thought twice about saying the Pledge of Allegiance. His father's return from the war, however, changed everything. A Hard Lesson - When Donna can't live with her mother's strict new rules, she goes to live with her grandmother and becomes the hostess of the neighborhood skip parties. But the parties will come to a tragic end on Donna's 16th birthday. My Brother's Debt - Most people think money will solve all their problems. For the second-year NBA player DeShawn Mobley, money only made things worse.