...And Then I Would Fly

As a child in the 1980s, Damien lived an idyllic life as the only son to two highly creative parents. He idolized his larger-than-life father, the unemployed musician. His mother, the artist, painted the neighbor children's portraits and sometimes worked two jobs to pay the mortgage and put food on the table.

When Damien's mother asked for a divorce, his father initiated a long journey of vengeance with Damien at the center, weaponizing the boy against his own mother. Suddenly, nothing was sacred. As the structure of the family and his father's mental health crumbled, Damien's idyllic life became seedy and dangerous.

His father spiraled out of control and vandalized their house, made Damien steal all his baby pictures, and exposed him to violence, drugs, and dysfunction. Eventually, he brought a new eighteen-year-old girlfriend home, who gave birth to Damien's little sister, Lily. Living in squalor, Damien struggled to emerge with Lily from their dysfunctional father's grasp.

...And Then I Would Fly is a heartbreaking and lovable memoir masterfully told over several decades, from a chaotic childhood to becoming a father who is still trying to heal himself. Sometimes darkly funny and often gut-wrenching, it is a moving story of an optimistic spirit seeking to thrive against any odds, even when in danger from the people he loves the most.

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...And Then I Would Fly

As a child in the 1980s, Damien lived an idyllic life as the only son to two highly creative parents. He idolized his larger-than-life father, the unemployed musician. His mother, the artist, painted the neighbor children's portraits and sometimes worked two jobs to pay the mortgage and put food on the table.

When Damien's mother asked for a divorce, his father initiated a long journey of vengeance with Damien at the center, weaponizing the boy against his own mother. Suddenly, nothing was sacred. As the structure of the family and his father's mental health crumbled, Damien's idyllic life became seedy and dangerous.

His father spiraled out of control and vandalized their house, made Damien steal all his baby pictures, and exposed him to violence, drugs, and dysfunction. Eventually, he brought a new eighteen-year-old girlfriend home, who gave birth to Damien's little sister, Lily. Living in squalor, Damien struggled to emerge with Lily from their dysfunctional father's grasp.

...And Then I Would Fly is a heartbreaking and lovable memoir masterfully told over several decades, from a chaotic childhood to becoming a father who is still trying to heal himself. Sometimes darkly funny and often gut-wrenching, it is a moving story of an optimistic spirit seeking to thrive against any odds, even when in danger from the people he loves the most.

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...And Then I Would Fly

...And Then I Would Fly

by Damien Thompson
...And Then I Would Fly

...And Then I Would Fly

by Damien Thompson

Paperback

$16.99 
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Overview

As a child in the 1980s, Damien lived an idyllic life as the only son to two highly creative parents. He idolized his larger-than-life father, the unemployed musician. His mother, the artist, painted the neighbor children's portraits and sometimes worked two jobs to pay the mortgage and put food on the table.

When Damien's mother asked for a divorce, his father initiated a long journey of vengeance with Damien at the center, weaponizing the boy against his own mother. Suddenly, nothing was sacred. As the structure of the family and his father's mental health crumbled, Damien's idyllic life became seedy and dangerous.

His father spiraled out of control and vandalized their house, made Damien steal all his baby pictures, and exposed him to violence, drugs, and dysfunction. Eventually, he brought a new eighteen-year-old girlfriend home, who gave birth to Damien's little sister, Lily. Living in squalor, Damien struggled to emerge with Lily from their dysfunctional father's grasp.

...And Then I Would Fly is a heartbreaking and lovable memoir masterfully told over several decades, from a chaotic childhood to becoming a father who is still trying to heal himself. Sometimes darkly funny and often gut-wrenching, it is a moving story of an optimistic spirit seeking to thrive against any odds, even when in danger from the people he loves the most.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9798218564759
Publisher: Transitional Characters Publishing
Publication date: 01/06/2025
Pages: 246
Product dimensions: 6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.52(d)

About the Author

Damien Thompson is a writer and musician originally from the Midwest. His literary work-short stories and poetry-has appeared in both print and online publications, including Exquisite Corpse (Vol. XIV), In Our Own Words (Vol. IV), The Stardust Review, The Hare's Paw Review, and the WILDSounds Writing Festival Anthology.As a musician, he has released four full-length albums and numerous singles, showcasing a diverse creative voice across genres. In 2025, he published his memoir, ...And Then I Would Fly, a candid and powerful account of his turbulent childhood marked by abuse and the complex relationship with his father.In addition to his artistic pursuits, Thompson spent over a decade managing a national 911 call center. He later earned a Bachelor of Science in Business and is currently completing a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling to establish a private psychotherapy practice.
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