For the Love of God: A Memoir

In 1972, the only thing Jackie knew about God was a memorized prayer. She was twenty-two, married twice, and divorced once. After several failed attempts to get out of her turbulent second marriage, she eventually leaves with her three-month-old daughter in her arms. For a few weeks, all's well until Jackie takes Jenny to the pediatrician. With averted eyes, the pediatrician announces that Jenny is profoundly brain-damaged. When Jackie determines to care for her daughter by herself rather than put her in an institution, Jenny's pediatrician urges her to include a social life. To pay for Jenny's mounting medical bills and still have a social life, Jackie works two jobs: a cocktail waitress on weekends and an office girl at Cessna during the week. Her promiscuous lifestyle contrasts with her resolve to give Jenny all the care she needs. Through all the twists and turns, God is in the background, but never in the forefront-that is-until Jackie has nowhere else to go.