Chapter 1

They say that everything happens for a reason. Peter used to think that that was stupid. If everything was meant to happen, then that meant that his mum was supposed to die. But then again, he supposed, it hasn't been all bad. Aunt May looks after him very well and Ned is fun to hang out with. So maybe they're right – whoever 'they' are. Maybe it's true. So maybe, just maybe, everything happens for a reason.

– 0 –

PETER'S POV

Mom is singing. I love it when she sings. I join in, my childish soprano matching with her lower pitch. Mom turns around, smiling. We sing as we do mundane things like washing the dishes. When I was little, it was how Mom got me to stop crying - at least, that's what she told me.

If I ever lose my hands,

Lose my plough, lose my lands,

If I ever lose my hands,

Oh if, I won't have to work no more.

We continue this for a while, whirling around the room. It's times like this that I remember the best.

– 0 –

I'm sitting in the car now. Mom looks at me. My leg is bouncing with excitement. My friend Ned has a new Lego set and I've been waiting to play with it since three days ago. Mom has been teasing me playfully and I pretend to be offended – "seven-year-olds don't have play dates!" – and look out the window. Mom is humming softly again. Her favourite song.

If I ever lose my eyes,

If my colours all run dry,

If I ever lose my eyes,

Oh if, I won't have to cry no more.

I immediately perk up and join in. If I had my way, I'd stay in the car with Mom forever.

– 0 –

Peter grasped Aunt May's hand tightly. His eyes were shining, but no tears fell. He was brave and she had to be strong, even if she didn't feel it. Most seven-year-olds would be sobbing if their mother had just died. Richard Parker had died just before Peter was born but Mary had raised him wonderfully. Peter was going to be raised by May now. She didn't know how she was going to raise him. She doesn't know the first thing about children.

Peter tugged softly on her hand and she gently led him inside. When he was in his new room, he finally let out a choked sob. That was the breaking point. Sobs wracked his small frame but he stuck a fist into his mouth and glanced nervously at the door. He didn't want to worry Aunt May. He didn't want to be a bother. He didn't want anyone else to leave him.

So many thanks to my beta Sop12345d for helping me revise these chapters.