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PROLOGUE

Travis – Seven Years Old

“Mo as I watched my mommy’s back shake Her head was in her arms on the kitchen table in front of her, her soft sobs muffled

But at the sound of my voice, she sat up Her cheeks ith tears, her er than sadness My , but the rest of her expression, and even her words, said another Sometimes my mommy confused me I didn’t know if I should try to help, or run away from her

My daddy didn’t confuse me like that My daddy smiled with his whole face, and when he was sad, I could tell that too

My daddy seemed sad a lot But he lovedto be a policeman just like him Then he wouldn’t be sad anymore, because I would make him proud and happy

Mybreath “Your daddy’s left us,” she said

I blinked at her,knock in my chest “Left where?” I whispered On a trip? To the town on the other side of the lake to do policeman business?

“Who knohere!” she said loudly, suddenly, her eyes sparking with the saer on her mouth “He’s snuck off like a thief with your aunt Alyssa and cousin Archer He wants them to be his family now He doesn’t want us anymore”

I stepped back Away fro me “No,” I whispered “My daddy wouldn’t leave me behind” With you He loves me “He wouldn’t”

“Oh, he would and he did,” she said, her tears stopping as she tapped her fingers on the table, her long fingernailssounds Tap, tap, tap I wanted to clap my hands over my ears andThe yelling The tapping It felt like so on my chest

I felt scared and sad

He wouldn’t leave me

He loves me

But I didn’t cry I was tough, like my daddy, and I wouldn’t cry

My ers tap, tap, tapping, harder and faster “ButI can do,” sheupward but her eyes still narrowed

She grabbed the phone and began pressing the buttons, calling someone

“Why, Mo for a different answer than the one she’d given Desperately needing so that made sense “Why did he leave?”

Myher head to stare at , “Because I’m second best, Travis We both are We always have been”

It felt like so withered and fell inside round in our backyard Thud They were the ones nobody wanted