1 PROLOGUE

GRACE

'Cold heat steady as it rushes away from his body to my feet. Life covering the dark leaves and inflaming the soil. "No!! Oh God no!!" the strength in my knees buckle and collapse. My arms wrap around his limp body. The sight of light leaving his eyes is too much as tears cover his bloody face. "Please… don't go.." '

"Please!!" My eyes flutter open as my lunges try to grasp the air around me. Tears burn as they flow down my cheeks. 'Damnit!!' Movement against my ribs yanks my mind out of the past. A small boy cuddles close to my side, peacefully asleep. My heart ached as I wrapped my arms around his small body, breathing in his warm scent, and remembering how wonderful life is. 

"Mom?" His voice breaks into my deep thoughts, sending a jolt of surprise through my body.

"Yes Honey?"

"You had a nightmare." I feel the smile before my face follows.

"I'm sorry my love." he grips my gown and looks up at me.

"Mama? It's okay I'll protect you." I hug him close.

"My strong little hero." I kiss his head trying to hold back tears. "Mama's okay. We need sleep. We have a long day tomorrow." he laughs.

"We always have a long day tomorrow." We both giggle.

"Go to sleep silly-willy." He snuggles into the covers falling instantly to sleep. "Good night Kai." Dreams were sweet and kind, but then came morning.

Our small one room and bath apartment on Dock Junction is dankey and quaint. But for now it's home. Kai is only four but he can talk well and he already has the vocabulary of a ten year old. Now he's learning to spell his name among other words. When I'm not working we write in his workbooks and talk till our throats hurt.

"Mama…" I turn from the warm soapy void of plates, bowls, and utensils to Kai. "I want a guitar." My eyebrows go into my hair. "A guitar?" He nods with a giant grin. "What started this?"

"I saw a man playing one in front of Winn-Dixie." Now my eyes poped out of my head.

"When did you go to Winn-Dixie?!" His eyes get wide and he tries to avoid my dagger gaze.

"Yesterday…" I sigh. Yesterday he had told me he was sick and couldn't come with me to work. I didn't think anything of it because we're partners if he said he was sick he really is sick. but THAT will NOT be happening anymore anytime soon. 

'why would he lie? He must have had a very good reason for this… he better.' 

taking a deep breath, I try to calm down and not work both of us up to the point of anger. 

"Kai. What did you want? you know you can ask for anything." his big green eyes look at me in surprise. 

"You're not mad?" I shake my head.

"No I'm not but don't do it again or I will be. Why did you say you were sick yesterday then? And why did you go to winn-dixie?" He looked around nervously keeping his lips sealed. I raise my eyebrow and cross my arms. He begins to fidget in his chair trying to avoid my gaze. "Kai Cole Wolf." Kai jumps a little and finally takes a breath before explaining.

"Well, remember when Miss Bid gave me money for clearing the brush out of her yard?" After thinking back I nod staring at him as he explained further. "Well, I wanted to get you something with it." he looked up at me with teary eyes that caused my heart to sink. I softened my expression and smiled as I took his hand. Kai smiled as he reached in his pocket and pulled out a small necklace. "I saw it in that ball machine and I wanted to get it for you… it took me all day but I finally got it for you Mama… Are you mad at me?" My tears overflowed and I wrapped him in my arms. 

"Oh honey…" 

A BANG! BANG! BANG! came from our door causing us both to jump. Kai looked at me worried. I smiled at him, wiped my hands and eyes, and went to go answer the door.

"Get out!" shocked at the words it takes me a moment to realize that this giant of a man sporting a pornstash was Jake, our landlord, standing right in front of me.

"W-what?" was all I could manage to say.

"Get out! You're three months behind. Two days ago you got an eviction notice!  so get out!" I stare at him utterly baffled.

"Eviction notice? Jake, I never got an eviction notice."

"You did! Now get out!" He pushes through the door followed by three other men. They take our few belongings and throw them into the street, shoving me out the door, Kai running after to grab my leg. At that moment we were homeless and on our own. I looked at Kai for a long moment and as much as I hated to do it, I knew what had to be done. "Kai…. It's time to go to Daddy's cabin."