Steve Matthews Presents: Raised By Wolves: Stories of a Misspent Youth

A raw deal, a rough start and a foregone conclusion. Despite it all, Matthews finds the courage to face his foes, find his way and tries forgiveness.

The wacky high jinx at Fiddler's Convention pale in comparison to the high jinx at home - and its not just happening at the Matthews house. Steve learns that unstable adults are a dime a dozen, that cops don't like rabbits and Oak Hill Youth Detention Center may be the end of the line.

While most kids go on family vacations during the summer, Matthews gets his own hotel room and calamity ensues. There's cops, beer, a trip to the Fiddlers Convention, several pounds of home-grown marijuana, a bevy of toothless relatives, a near-death experience and all the ice cream sandwiches you can eat - but oddly, there's very little fiddling. It all results in asking God for another favor. Listen to see if the big guy actually comes through.

On his final day at boarding school, Steve Matthews ruins everything. He learns about betrayal, trust, faith and love. He nearly gets committed to a mental hospital but waits until after he leaves to have a mental breakdown. There are angels and demons, old men with canes and creepy phone calls.

In the final year at boarding school, moments of sobriety offer Steve glimpses of a very different view on the surroundings at boarding school. He meets with a therapist, nearly dies from second hand smoke and dreams about going to college.

The boarding school antics continue as Matthews and company abuse a pair of melons and feign concern for a drunken cohort. Meanwhile two boys take their special brand of mischief underground in a monumental achievement to compete with the seven wonders of the world.

Off campus escapades abound as 2lbs of "unaccounted for" flash powder becomes accounted for. A trip to Harper's Ferry results in the alleged disappearance of $10,000 - in coins. And a trip to the Smithsonian Museum results in the suspension of nearly every kid on the trip.

Bored students leave boarding school to procure adult beverages and copious amounts of adventure. There are electric fences, loud trains, exploding cows and fake ID's. Then Steve ponders a redneck code of ethics.

A little bit of acid can go a long way but 6 hits is more than a mouthful as Steve learns that LSD can have lasting effects. Sure there are hallucinations and deep meaningful conversations but there's also a dump truck full of truants and a crazed redneck at the wheel.

Steve learns not to pee on the electric heaters in shop class, crashes into no parking sign, impresses a carload of young women and gets hit by a car after summer school.

Steve discusses the virtues of his favorite word and how he manages to evoke it from so many who were close to him. He becomes a full-fledged criminal in one eventful crime spree then talks about a slingshot, a special needs neighbor and the punishment that changed his life forever.

Steve decides he's not paper route material when he plays with matches and burns a bridge. He learns all about karma then finds Step-Father Frank is more of a "family man" than he first let on. There's horseplay, gun play, a knife and Steve even resorts to fisticuffs in this action packed episode. And all of it happens while taking a break from boarding school.

Steve learns the difference between pepper and Weevils. He confesses to a 50 year old crime, unwraps a briquet of government surplus cheese and explains why he's still protective of his dinner plate.

The weekly ritual of boarding school. A bus driver with his own sense of justice and the story of "Rank Frank."

Steve gets an unwanted step-dad. A cross country car trip to Disneyland comes with a price. A couple of jokes land better than expected.

If the 1st day of school can cause anxiety, what happens when that day lasts a week? Steve talks about Football and his first encounter with a snake.

A bad reputation. A neighborhood menace and a favor from God.

How does a nine year old kid wind up at a boarding school for the criminally insane? You have to start early.

Some days just start off-kilter. Next thing you know, you're up to your neck in Alligators. That's where my story begins.