This book makes the fear of an abusing spouse seem real!

Maddy Morton looked around the empty apartment, leaving was hard. Nicholas didn't want to leave & her teeth ached from her reaction to the frustration. Nicholas reaction mirrored hers. He told her that he hated her. He used forbidden words, trying to be tough. She was hoping that pop would let her stay with him, where they'd be safe. She would do anything to save her son, even go back with her dad. Rita came & picked them up, Maddy assured her that he would let them stay because of his grandson. When she had left her father threatened to cut her out of the will if she left with Gabe, but she was going to have a baby. At the airport, the good-bye's were emotional, Rita had been like a second mom to Nicholas, & her son had been his best friend. Once on the plane, she returned to her memories, including her mother's funeral. Once they were on the ground, a familiar looking man approached who she probably knew him from high school. He had overheard her asking about Waimea & could drop her off on his way to Hilo. Kam was friendly, but she knew that she was "haole" because she had left the island. She told him she had been gone a long time as they traveled, Nicholas had closed his shell around himself. Maddy gave directions, & Kam finally asked if she were Mark Morton's sister. As they were unloading here things, Amos, the dog, greeted them. When Kam went to leave, Maddy realized how kind he had been & wondered why she had gotten soft. As her pop opened the door, Maddy told him they had come home, & only her foot in the door prevented it from closing. ( )