This episode contains references to self-harm, sexual assault, and

descriptions of drug use. There's also some strong language. Please be advised.

It's 1979 in Salem, Oregon, and 15-year-old Courtney Michelle Rodriguez-Mendly is striding down the hallway of Hillcrest Correctional Facility. She's rocking brown-feathered hair, plenty of black eyeliner, and bra straps peeking out from under her torn tank top. It's a look she's perfected during the two years she's lived here. Today there's an extra swagger in Courtney's stride. Because at long last, she's getting out. She can't wait to finally be free. She's been dreaming of this day for months. She can't wait to eat some real food and sleep in a halfway decent bed, in a room with walls that aren't cinder block. But as the big metal double doors open in front of her, she stops short. Her ex-stepfather's blue station wagon is waiting for her. Frank is what happens when no one else can be bothered with Courtney. He's the closest thing she's ever had to an actual parent. When Courtney's mom would get sick of her, she'd send her to live with Frank, even after they were divorced.

Okay, is this actually a record for how quickly we got to a shitty parent?

Yeah, the content warning better

watch out. I know. But

Courtney's mom apparently felt like Courtney was just too much to deal with. Courtney tosses her duffel bag in the back and slides into the front seat, then immediately lights a cigarette. Frank shakes his head, but he doesn't say anything. Courtney watches the trees go by as they speed back to Portland. But when the car slows to a stop in front of a shitty apartment building, Courtney realizes she's not going back to Frank's. She's going to stay with a friend in this dump. The message is clear. Frank's had enough to. She's on her own. Courtney's body fills with dread, just looking at the sagging steps and overgrown grass. But she's not about to let Frank see that. She grabs her duffel bag from the back seat. She's known for years. She wasn't family material. It's just not in her DNA. This just makes it official. She barely feels anything as she watches the station wagon pull away and leave her. Courtney's on her own, but that's just the way she wants it. She's done with trying to fit in when she knows she's meant to stand out. She doesn't need anybody else. She's going to make all on her own.