Summary

Part One begins with a “Snapshot” titled “Two Boys on a Brand-New Playground (2010).” In the prologue, Quan is nine years old and his mother is fighting with his stepfather, who is often violent toward her. Quan runs away to Wynwood Heights Park and hides in his favorite spot, inside the rocket ship. Once inside, he starts to cry. Suddenly another boy appears: Justyce, who is incredibly gifted and talented academically. At first, Quan is annoyed that Justyce has seen him cry and is worried he might tell other kids at school. But Quan tells Justyce about his stepfather, and Justyce says he understands because his own father is often violent. The two boys bond and plan to hang out later.

In the first chapter, "Doomed," Quan is in the Fulton Regional Youth Detention Center lying in...