A secret is hidden in a photo of a four-year-old child to be revealed safely in fifty years. In between, stories of the child's life depict themes of family relationships, lessons in feminism, struggles with racism, very often intertwined with spiritual events. She has only herself for protection on the way to adulthood. Any triumphs and disasters are all her own. The stories depict incidents of trauma, requiring courage, imagination and fortitude for survival. Finally, the wound is opened. Time runs out and the despair of the small child explodes into the now adult protector forced into a confrontation that will heal both child and adult.