Prelude

For a few minutes, I was tempted to title this story, “Can You Only Live Twice?” but rejected it. There is a 007 series spy book by Ian Flemming named You Only Live Twice and a 1967 movie was made from it. John Barry wrote and Nancy Sinatra recorded the theme song by that name. The opening stanza lyrics are:

“You only live twice

Or so it seems

One life for yourself

And one for your dreams”

This story, my story, has nothing to do with any of that. Neither the book, movie, the song, nothing resembling themes, characters, plot, era, nor culture. Not one secret agent do I offer. The only thing in common is from the song, the charming phrase used as my title:

“One for your dreams”

Double lives. Secret lives. Change of life. A new life. A new world. A fresh beginning. There are many more phrases like these. Each indicates a not uncommon desire for a second chance to get it right. Some seek simultaneous chances hoping one will be successful. My origin was a bad start. You can’t imagine a more spoiled rotten mean little kid than I was. My story has a villain, but no heroes. I am the villain. No matter how I spin it or excuse myself, I’ll never come out remotely heroic. No one does. I’m the predator, and the rest of the story’s cast of characters portray my victims and their victimhood. You won’t learn much about them. Character development will be too skimpy and stereotyped to know them well. Even though they were half-siblings I never did know them well, so can’t provide you with many details. Minute details of their horrifying ends will be gruesomely, lovingly described.