I wondered for just a breathe, if I had made it all up… the pain and suffering.

Then I remembered…

I don’t believe in fiction mainly because I wasn’t allowed to tell lies.

More accurately there were great consequences for telling lies. Beatings and the like.

I learned to take my licks. The last one I just stood there and took it stone faced; staring down each blow like some badge of honor. No fuck you mother!

I more than made up for lost time in the lying department, and am just now giving myself permission to write fiction.

Dennis Mantin