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Part One

ONE

Diah

1956

Diamond Reed was raised by her father Chester after her mother Betty walked out on the up with Chester’s cheating, manipulation, and physical and mental abuse, not to h

Betty was raised in a household with fourteen brothers and sisters, and had to fight and work hard for anything she wanted, so she believed that people should work hard for what they want In her eyes, Chester was raising Dia her take responsibility for her actions When she tried to teach Diamond how to cook and clean, Chester si to hter

Dia her father did would change the love she had for hi she ever wanted and worshipped the ground she walked on, and she, in turn, worshipped him

Diae how to ainst her ive in to her She beca what she wanted One time she asked her mother for a new doll she saw on television, but Betty said no

“But why can’t I have it, Mommy?”

“Because, Diamond, you have a closet full of dolls and toys that you don’t even play with Your father just bought you a brand-new dollhouse with two dolls two days ago Go play with that,” Betty told her without taking her eyes off the television

Betty was a full figured woiving birth to Diamond Her beautiful doll-like eyes sat perfectly behind her long eyelashes

“But, Mommy that is the best doll ever” Diamond pleaded with the same baby-doll eyes as her mother She wore two ponytail braids that reached her shoulders with ribbons tied to each end

“Diao somewhere and sit down Let you tell it, every toy on TV is the best ever” Betty wrinkled her wide nose, which sat over a pair of full lips Her chin cah

Dia, her bushy brows furrowed, and the little wheels in her head began to spin as she plotted a way to get the doll The dimples deepened in her pecan-colored cheeks, and the nostrils in her button nose began to flare She stomped off to her room and slammed the door

Betty sinored her temper tantrum

Not even twentyroom with her Barbie suitcase in her hand She’d decided to run away

Betty looked over at her, and a s?”

“I’ive me some money to catch the bus,” Diamond demanded

Betty fell out in laughter so hard her D-cup breasts jiggled “You’re kidding ? You aren’t old enough to do anything”

“I’ because you don’t loveand crying

“Diaive you so to really cry about” Betty folded her are breasts and refocused her attention on her stories