years

r years old, was a whirlwind of motion. He had a mop of dark, curly hair and a pair of startlingly

orked at a local fashion boutique, a job that paid the bills and allowed her to be home

cry shattered th

boy, Cody White, who was sitting on the ground, waili

who seemed to subsist on gossip and

rieked, marching ove

at Leo. "You need to control yo

ll the other mothers to hear,

s. Kowalski, please watch your tone," she said, her voice low and stead

's level. "Leo. You a

ed his little arms and turned his he

truck first,

h," Deana said, her voice firm. The two of

flames. "See? No discipline. It's what h

o. She took his hand and, ignoring his pro

me was sile

oor, Leo's small voice broke the

t in the eye. "I know, sweetie. But using your han

ore physical, more aggressive than th

eatening to speak to their landlord. Deana listened patiently, apologize

ving his cars across the living room r

wn really the best place for him? He needed more. Better schools, more o

l idea resurfa

rtunities that didn't exist in Havenwood

. It had Mrs. Price. It wa

ied face. She browsed job listings, apartment rentals

ed his arms around her leg

ng his dark curls. "I'm no

es wide and serious. "Cody has a

had been dreadi

lean. She had no answer for him.

ir future pressing down on her. She was completely and utterly al