Frances Ann Flynn Benedetto is Beth Crenshaw. She raised her sister because their father suffered from a medical disability, and because their mother was forced to work multiple jobs in order to provide for the family. Frannie makes many sacrifices, which include giving up her own dreams of attending college. As a result, she marries her first love, who regularly abuses her. When she finally picks up and leaves a life of abuse behind, Frannie becomes Beth Crenshaw.
Black and Blue: A Novel