In Memory of Susan Denise Atkins-Whitehouse
The Time of Susan's Life
During Susan's 2005 parole hearing,
the Presiding Commissioner questioned Susan
about her teenage years,
as had been done so many times before.
Maybe they just liked the sound of Susan's voice.
During Susan's 2005 parole hearing,
the Presiding Commissioner questioned Susan
about her teenage years,
as had been done so many times before.
Maybe they just liked the sound of Susan's voice.
The commissioner questioned Susan about when
she first started drinking,
which leads to a discussion about Susan's father.
We know what this time
in Susan's life was like for her.
How unhappy these days were for Susan,
at a time in her life
when Susan should have been having
the time of her life.
No one can know what this was like for Susan,
except Susan,
unless you lived a life as Susan did.
she first started drinking,
which leads to a discussion about Susan's father.
We know what this time
in Susan's life was like for her.
How unhappy these days were for Susan,
at a time in her life
when Susan should have been having
the time of her life.
No one can know what this was like for Susan,
except Susan,
unless you lived a life as Susan did.
Though this period in Susan's life was not a happy one,
the parole board, in their discussions with Susan,
deemed it necessary to have Susan relive those days of her life,
over and over,
through the years.
the parole board, in their discussions with Susan,
deemed it necessary to have Susan relive those days of her life,
over and over,
through the years.
The discussion between Susan and the commissioner is disturbing;
it's about a period in Susan's life when she was miserable,
but is discussed as simple cold hard facts.
This can be difficult for us.
Though the conversation takes place
in very matter-of-fact terms,
we cannot help but remember Susan's recollections
in her works about this period of her life.
The following conversation took place
between Susan and the Presiding Commissioner;
it's about a period in Susan's life when she was miserable,
but is discussed as simple cold hard facts.
This can be difficult for us.
Though the conversation takes place
in very matter-of-fact terms,
we cannot help but remember Susan's recollections
in her works about this period of her life.
The following conversation took place
between Susan and the Presiding Commissioner;
Commissioner: "Okay, the record reflects that when you were about 18,
you became an alcoholic for about six months"
Susan: "Yes, Ma'am"
Commissioner: "And what triggered that?"
Susan: "My father ran away and left me to take care of
my younger brother without any support
and I couldn't handle the stress and I did
what I said I would never do,
and that was drink"
Commissioner: "Where did he go?"
Susan: "I don't know. I have no idea where he went.
My grandparents at that time said they found him
somewhere near San Jose..."
you became an alcoholic for about six months"
Susan: "Yes, Ma'am"
Commissioner: "And what triggered that?"
Susan: "My father ran away and left me to take care of
my younger brother without any support
and I couldn't handle the stress and I did
what I said I would never do,
and that was drink"
Commissioner: "Where did he go?"
Susan: "I don't know. I have no idea where he went.
My grandparents at that time said they found him
somewhere near San Jose..."
Susan spoke more about her grandparents,
and she continued on about how she supported
herself and her younger brother,
by working a part time job,
while going to school.
and she continued on about how she supported
herself and her younger brother,
by working a part time job,
while going to school.
Commissioner: "When did your father return?"
Susan: "I had left and I have no idea when he returned"
Commissioner: "Okay"
home
Susan: "I had left and I have no idea when he returned"
Commissioner: "Okay"
home
