Author Rex Ogle began telling readers his story in FREE LUNCH. During his early childhood he experienced enough poverty, bullying, and abuse from family members, it seems he would lose all hope. He carries on his story into his high school years in this new release titled PUNCHING BAG.
Rex doesn't hold back as he details fights between his mother and his stepfather Sam. Protecting his little brother Ford is Rex's primary concern with his own survival coming in second. Life meant getting through each day with as little physical and emotional damage as possible.
The only freedom and safety for Rex came from going to school or spending time with Ford in the apartment while his mother and stepfather were away. Even working multiple jobs didn't always assure rent and food money from the adults in his life. When his mother and Sam were home, they were usually yelling and fighting. As the title suggests, Rex was often a punching bag for the grownups who always seemed to say they were sorry and that they loved him after inflicting blows that left Rex with bruises he couldn't always hide.
As Rex gets older, he begins to call his mother on her abuse. Knowing she suffers from mental illness keeps Rex from throwing his own punches, but he tries to speak the truth to her hoping she might one day put Ford and Rex's needs before her own at least once. Dream on. Rex does his best to compensate and be there for his brother.
One thing that helps Rex cope is images of the little sister he recently discovered he might have had. During one their awful fights, Rex learns the secret of his mother's earlier pregnancy and the stillbirth of a baby girl after a severe beating from a drunken Sam. They named her Marisa, and Rex imagines she appears to help guide him through particularly rough times.
PUNCHING BAG is not an easy read as Rex Ogle reveals life in an abusive situation in one stark scenario after another. His strength and determination do offer an inspiration that shouldn't be missed.
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