Forever and a Day

About the Book

IN SAMUEL’S “SUGAR BABY,” WE MET SAMUEL MATTHEW AND HIS FAMILY. THE DRAMA OF SAMUEL’S LIFE CONTINUES WITH MARRIAGES, BIRTHS, DEATHS AS THE MATTHEW FAMILY LIVES LIFE TO THE FULLEST. IN - FOREVER AND A DAY - WE AGAIN VISIT THE MATTHEW FAMILY. When Samuel’s mother died from complications of childbirth, several months after Melanie was born, Samuel, who had declared Melanie his, took over complete care of the child he called Brownie. When Brownie was a child, he put the toddler in front of him as he rode his horse. He educated her, teaching her to walk and talk, how to protect herself at all times. She soaked up his instructions, becoming proficient on and with animals and everything he taught her academically. He read books to her, showed her the letters, sounded them for her, and encouraged her to say the words with him and after him. When she entered kindergarten, she had to be taught separately—she was so far advanced. She was allowed to stay in kindergarten class part of the time to bond with the children her age. A few years later, Samuel’s father died. Samuel buried himself in his anger. He decided he could no longer stay on the ranch. He had to leave. In his words, he had to “find himself.” So began a long journey in Samuel’s life with those he met along the way, with those who changed his life completely.

About the Author

A retired school principal, social editor, feature writer, and poet, her poems are in several anthologies. She has written one book, two chapbooks, and two unpublished poetry books. She is a Texan Louisianan. She is well acquainted with her subject, and she resides with her daughter, Mary, in California.