Fallout (Crank 3)

to Mom and Dad) went to Misty

in high school. They married soon

after graduation, even though

everyone said they were too young.

So far, they’ve proved everyone

wrong. School. Work. Paying bills.

They’ve waded through, together.

Then, when Kristina got pregnant

with David and decided she

couldn’t put up with four-year-old

Donald’s hardcore behavior

problems, Jake volunteered to

take him in. He and Misty dealt

patiently with biting. Head

banging. Scream-punctuated

tantrums. Purposeful destruction.

Not his fault, Jake claimed.

She never taught him better.

Truth is, he was wild as a bobcat.

With nurturing and love, Jake

and Misty tamed him. Taught

him the meaning of “no,” how

to say “please” and “thank you.”

Then, of course, Kristina wanted

him back. Sort of like sending

your puppy out to be house-

broken, was Dad’s comment.

Donald did return to Kristina,

better for the experience. But he

has regressed some over time.