Preface and Epigraph

Preface

This story blends fiction and non-fiction using actual memories shared by my son Toby and me. Before each chapter, you’ll find a memory from our lives; most of them true and written as accurately as I remember. The real memories are woven throughout the story and intertwined with the main narrative. Though this story dives into some heavy moments, Toby was never in danger of losing his life.

Toby and I have been through hell and back; failed relationships, bad choices, betrayal, you name it. Our father-son bond has been tested time and time again. The epigraph is a story Toby wrote for his fourth-grade yearbook, which made front page. Years later, he realized that I am human, stating, “Dad, I remember when I used to look up to you like you were some sort of god.” That one sentence blindsided me in ways I never thought possible. No father is prepared for the moment his child sees him as human.

When I began writing this, I was a full-time single father with very little help. I ran a remodeling and handyman business on my own while attending college for business management at forty. To top it off, I also worked part-time doing maintenance and housekeeping at a motel. Saying I was stressed barely scratches the surface. I started by writing down memories I shared with Toby as a coping mechanism. Christina found some of those memories and suggested I try shaping them into a story. The more I wrote, the more therapeutic it got.

Two main characters you’ll meet, Christina and Jack, are no longer part of our lives. Christina, my ex, was with me at the start of this book and remains part of the story to maintain authenticity. Jack, my brother from another mother, passed away many years ago and is still missed. Using his name is my way of honoring him.

Using real people in the fictional portions keeps me grounded and helps the story stay as real as possible, at least for myself. I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I enjoyed living the moments that made it worth writing.

Epigraph

“Dad and I playing in the front yard. Have you ever felt like you were going to get hit with a high speeding ball? It was my tenth time playing football. My dad and I play football a lot. I beat my dad at football. Ramiro played, too. The football was rough. I got hit on the cheek. If you were there you would have seen me trip on a rock. I heard set……hike! Playing football with my dad was the best day of my life.”

By ToToby