Burning Watercolors

"As Mrs. Diaz and Mrs. Perkins discuss Ethan's infractions in more detail, only the hum of the desk fan reaches my ears. It mercifully blows their voices away, down the hall, out the double doors, into the sky...

I grasp his small hand. He tries to wrangle himself free of my grip, but experience has taught me to hang on as if his life depends on it. It does. Free of my grip, he has run into traffic, jumped from heights, and bolted through crowds without regard for the people or obstacles in his reckless path. This child has more anger than any child should carry. He collects it all up inside him. As if he has an expandable suitcase zipper, he stuffs in more and more until he is likely to burst. And he did, today, in his kindergarten classroom."

Ethan's kindergarten year, life changed for him and his mom, Kate. Jace is gone, but due to trauma Ethan's brain is already wired on a hair trigger, ready to lash out in anger, or seek refuge in 'hide-and-seek cabinet' every minute of every day. Kate is ready to face life with newfound strength. Her determination to help her son is undeniable, but is it too late for Ethan?