Young Marlene Tulloch was the third child of Anne and George Tulloch. She had two older sisters, Gloria and Sylvia. George desperately wanted an heir, a son to carry on his name. She was born after a difficult pregnancy, and her mother died ten days later from complications of childbirth. She was reared by her grandmother, Estrella, who was cruel to the young child. At the age of two, her father left. Thus, she knew neither parent. Due to kindness of friends and strangers, she survived. Despite obstacles, she became a teacher, got married, and had four boys. Now dying, she retreated to childhood. Through the haze of pain, her life unfolded.