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PROLOGUE

Spring 2004

"Goodinto the room "Wake up, Avie!"

I blinkdown atShe swoops down and presses a kiss toers run over theas she realizes it’s not ironed to her standards

"I don’t want to go to school today," Iout of bed

"Baby-cakes, you knohat yourso a long way in life"

She grins atup htthe dress frohtens just a touch and I know it’s becauseHe works so much we hardly see him If it weren’t for my momma, my life wouldn’t be so exultant She keeps the sunshine in our lives

"He had to work early thisto come and watch me dance?"

She smiles, but behind it there is so much sadness I can tell this, because her smile never truly reaches her eyes "Moet sonation "Okay"

She kissesto my brother, Liam He’s four years older thanout Even though he’s older than ruown off and pulling onready for school and Idown at her cell phone and s the freshly baked pancakes towardsthe phone away

I like when dad makes her smile; it makes me happy to know he still loves her so dearly How could you not love her? She’s so beautiful, so radiant, like light; like sunshine

"These are good," I say, pointing to

"Don’t talk with your mouthful, Avie," she chastises, and then turns to Lia himself onto the stool beside , but flashes ot blue eyes just like Moht as hers I have the sareen as Papa’s Liahter I frown at the thought and continue eating

"Quickly now," Mo to be late"