by Michelle Grismer

Created on: June 15, 2010

Some memories of child hood are sweet and innocent and bring laughter and smiles to your face when you remember them.

My memories of my childhood are dark, twisted and until years later and thousands of dollars of  therapy I was not able to shut the door on those memories.

I was the youngest and always felt like I was on an Island of my own with someone watching me constantly.

 I grew up with  my cousins as  my only friends until I left home for  college.

For as long as I .can remember my entire family, Mother, father, brothers Chris and Anthony, grandparents, Aunts and Uncles and cousins lived on the same property

I had never eaten out at a restaurant that wasn't closed to public  until I  went to a Pizza Parlor that doubled as a student union for the college crowd.

I was the youngest and always felt like I was on an Island of my own with someone watching me constantly.

.My real life began when I made a discovery at the bottom of the well on my families vast property.

Not only were the  various homes Architectural marvels but the landscaping was a breath taking work of art.

The property we all lived on covered over 50 acres of wooded  hills.

The Estate was the most beautiful for a 100 mile radius.

My life was nannies and security guards and little time with my parents who were hardly ever there.

Although most of the security guards were flat and humorless there was one that made each day more bearable.

His name was Brian and he was an Ex Navy seal.  He was six foot five and had the face of a baby with white blond hair and clear green eyes.

He taught me   every card game know to man,  As  well as how to defend myself against a predator which came in hand later in my life.

Brian had no family left both his parents were dead the only child of a Navy Lieutenant   he had traveled all over the world and had never ending stories to tell.

My life progressed into my teenage years and the older I got the more I realized that my family was a mob family.

My father and my uncles had shipping businesses all over the area.

I couldn't understand why  Judges and high ranking  political people from all over the state attended the dinner parties and annual Christmas party where many celebrities performed.

Brian explained to me one day over a bowl of popcorn that the reason the Judges and cops and politicians all attended was because many worked for my Uncles and Dad.

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