Sheds light on abuse and its aftermath, proving that the scars that remain look different on every victim.
No sane person could describe Morgan’s childhood as normal. From a young mother whose behavior is flat-out abusive, to an over-drinking and largely absent father, it comes as no surprise when a vulnerable 14 year-old Morgan turns to the arms of a pedophile for comfort. A complicated relationship develops between Morgan and Master Bill, her fun-loving taekwondo instructor. Despite an over-30-year-difference in age, Morgan develops feelings for Bill that go beyond that of a parent, a friend, a mentor, or a lover. M.C. Cauley’s memoir sheds light on abuse and its aftermath, proving that the scars that remain look different on every victim.
I must admit, I feel guilty for enjoying this memoir as much as I did. Perhaps it is Cauley’s captivating voice that demands to be heard even when the story is intimate, embarrassing, shameful, and regrettable. Maybe it is the innocence and candor that exist in the same space and are both refreshing and heartbreaking. There are references to the time period of the late 90s and early 2000s like playing songs from a Napster library, and unremarkable problems like burning your mouth on hot pizza rolls, which keep the story from feeling as weighty as it really is. These casual occurrences also turn Morgan into a friend more than a victim.
The Places Left Unfilled: A Memoir by M.C. Cauley is a heartfelt and raw account that will surely alter your perspective on a subject that is pervasive, relevant and timely. Prepare to fall in love with the innocent young girl Morgan once was and exult in the courageous woman she now is in this intensely gripping and emotional journey that will come as a source of solace and community for fellow victims, and a source of insight for those that love them.
