LIFE IS NOT ALWAYS WHAT IT APPEARS TO BE... Forgiveness is the farthest thing from Doug Wilson's mind; he sees himself as a victim of abuse. A few days before his eighteenth birthday, he leaves home with a steely determination to reunite with his estranged mother. But, technically, he is a runaway minor in the eyes of his father and the law. Due to a no-contact agreement between his parents, it has been five long, agonizing years since Doug has seen his mother. His heart aches with the absence of her presence. His only plan is to head south to locate his grandparents' farm. During the long trek on foot, he learns many lessons about himself and the living of life itself. At the end of his journey, Doug confronts a reality that is not recognizable, and the waiting for understanding from his father has just begun. His emotional journey is far from over.