Prologue: Back Then

“You can’t play here! This is my sandbox!” Billy shouted.

“But those kids are playing here,” Howie said softly.

“You can’t play here,” he repeated.

“Who says he can’t play here?” a voice came from behind Billy.

He turned around to face the voice, “Uh…..I…..Uh….No one. I gotta go. I think I hear my mom calling me.”

He ran off while Melissa laughed at him, “Hey kid, are you okay?”

“Yeah,” he said quietly.

She helped him off the ground where Billy had pushed him, “My name’s Melissa Russell.”

“I’m Howie Dorough.”

“Look, if you ever need any help, just yell for me. I’m always here. That boy is always trying to pick on the younger kids.”

“But I’m 6,” he protested.

“Billy’s 8. He thinks he’s like, Dad or something. He tried to beat me up one day, but I kicked his butt and he cried because a girl beat him up.”

Howie laughed, “How old are you?”

“I’m 7.”

“Wow, you beat up an older kid.”

“I’ve got an older brother who likes to pick on me.”

“Oh…"

“Stick with me kid. I’ll protect you.”

“Thanks.”