Grieving twelve-year-old Anna is left without a protector after her mother dies. This 76,000 word novel reveals the physical pain and horror of her life of terror in a desolate Montana town with an abusive father. Papa is a respected church deacon and dependable railroad worker, but a different man behind closed doors. Anna's mother had tried to prepare her young daughter as death from cancer approached, warning Anna to avoid the same fate she had experienced. But there was no escape, Anna was trapped. Looking beautiful and loved in public but tortured at home, Anna struggles to survive her abuse.
Papa controls, isolates her, and threatens death if she tells the truth. Her plan to escape turns desperate with more lies and violence when, within a year, she is pregnant. Papa takes Anna to a Catholic home for girls in another state. She returns months later with a baby. Papa adopts the child calling her cousin Julie, telling townspeople she is a family orphan.
Edith, an elderly woman hired by Papa, helps Anna learn mothering skills and cares for the baby when Anna returns to school as a seventh grader. The nightmare of motherhood and protecting her little girl strengthens Anna's resolve to flee. Her portrayed resilience and strength may empower other victims to escape abuse and find help to begin recovery.