and was literally fighting for his life through some of the most hostile and

chaotic situations imaginable.

 

Her words would have been his touchstone, his oasis in a sea of shit.

 

Puller felt his hand begin to shake as he read through the thoughts of his

mother from three decades before.

 

Problems in the marriage. Problems with him. Problems with her.

 

But…she was willing to work things out.

 

Not for her or him.

 

But because of their sons.

 

Because that was what was truly important. At least to Jackie Puller.

 

But—and here was the crux of it—she wrote that she and the boys would have to go

away for a while. To let John Puller Sr. see what his real priorities were in

life. And then, depending on what he decided, they would go from there.

 

Puller folded the letter and slid it back into the envelope.

 

Words from the grave. Or if not the grave, Puller didn’t know where.