Hello, everyone. I hope you enjoy this fanfic. Note: This is kind of a prequel for my fanfic "Chaos Is What Killed The Dinosaurs", so there's going to be parallels.

May 8th, 1979

I had moved plenty of times in his life. Mama explained that I never stayed in one place on the east cost - I had lived everywhere from my birthplace Charlotte, North Carolina to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

She found it odd that Dad had managed to stay in Philadelphia for almost three years. I did too.

Until one Tuesday afternoon after a playdate with Micah and Thomas ended. They mumbled goodbyes, and the house was silent - spare the creaky floorboards and the ticking of a clock.

Mama was the only one home, and she was using the typewriter. Best not to disturb her - I had learnt that a long time ago.

It was almost bedtime and Dad still wasn't home. I was growing worried; he had always returned around five thirty.

"Did Dad tell you when he was coming home?"

Mama was in the doorway now, her posture weary and eyes bemused.

"Did he tell you?" I responded, turning my head towards her.

"No," Mama sighed. "I'm guessing you don't know either."

I nodded.

She ambled towards me and sat on the couch. She twiddled her hair. "Did I ever tell you what I've been working on?"

"I don't think so."

Mama smiled, glancing out into the window before looking back at me. "It's a book. I've been working on it since 75' - I haven't had much time to work on it, though, with you and Bud."

"Is it about me?"

She laughed, shaking her head. "No, honey," she reached over for the stack of papers beside her. "It's about grownups. Maybe I'll read it to you when you get older."

Mama hugged me, resting her chin on my head. Dark tendrils of her hair spilled on my face, blocking my vision. She stopped squeezing me when the door crashed open. I blinked wildly, revealing the figure of Big Bud Dean.

"Clara, can I talk to you in my office?" he grumbled, keeping his line of vision everywhere but me. "Alone?"

She nodded briskly, sauntering to his side. She grinned at me one last time before disappearing behind the old white door.

May 9th, 1979

"We're moving?"

Mama sighed, nodding. "I'm not surprised. Bud's drained Philadelphia weeks ago."

"But," I protested, stammering. "I actually made friends! Real friends!"

She squeezed me, rubbing my temples. "You've got Jay."

I pulled away, stepping back. "Jay's a stupid house plant!"

"Jason," she sighed. "You know the drill by now. Why did you think we could stay in Philadelphia any longer?"

"I don't know - I thought that Dad liked it here. That he liked it so much that he would let us stay."

She frowned, her hazel gaze forlorn. "We all like it here. Do you remember when we left King William, Virginia? How you were so sad that you had to leave Anthony, Micheal and Laura behind?"

I sniffed, tears splattering my cheeks. "Yeah?"

"I had friends too. When I left them behind, I was very sad. Well, when you moved here, you made so many new friends. I did too. Remember that nice lady that came over last week?"

"Mrs. Clayton?"

"Yes. I love her so much, and I'm going to miss her. But, I can't wait to make new friends in Belgrade."

Thanks for reading! After this, chapter's are going to be much longer. His life seems fine now, but it'll turn awful soon.