Preface: The Child Inside and her unheeded call

I'd like to think The Child Inside doesn't exist. If you met me, you'd probably believe it. She's a pretty quiet little thing. Once, she may have been more demanding, but now she's let me take over her life and I dare say I manage it well enough. All she asks are a few moments to herself during the night... She just doesn't want to be completely forgotten. Who would? So, now I'm going give her the floor to tell her own story. Maybe when I grant her that wish, she'll finally leave me alone...