Sign up for the event at: https://www.facebook.com/events/516226884016349

“Beyond Manipulative” is Chapter 28 from “Was I Ever Normal,” Becca Pava’s most recently published novel. “Was I Ever Normal” was selected to appear in the LA Times Festival of Books. It was hand-picked by Access Media Literary Agency. It is scheduled to be re-published by a major publishing house as well.

In this event, the author herself (me) will be reading “Beyond Manipulative’ aloud on YouTube, live-streamed. The reading will be followed by an optional Q&A with the author.

In the chapter “Beyond Manipulative,” thirteen-year-old Cassie suffers from childhood-onset schizoaffective disorder. She has spent the last three years begging for help. However, she never receives the right kind of therapy and support. Instead, she is continuously accused of being manipulative and making up stories for attention. She has finally had enough. This goes beyond manipulative.

When the bus pulls up at school Cassie doesn’t go into the building. While no one is paying attention, she crosses the street. Then she goes into a nearby gas station. In the gas station, she buys a bottle of extra-strength Aspirin and a bottle of flavored water.

During third period at school, she leaves class with her heart pounding in her chest. Once she gets to the girl’s bathroom, she closes herself in a stall. In there, she uses the flavored water to quickly swallow the entire bottle of Aspirin. The whole time she is listening to make sure no one notices what she is doing.

No one notices anything. Everyone is too caught up in their own dramas, to want to play a part in hers.

To find out what happens next you will have to sign up for the event at:

https://www.facebook.com/events/516226884016349