all my heart
by unique
prologue

    Cassandra James stared blankly out at the sunset.  The soothing sound of the waves
    hitting the shore didn’t soothe her today.  Life had taken an unpredictable turn for her,
    and she had gotten lost.  She wondered if she could ever find her way back.  Maybe one day…
    but for today, she had to deal with her reality.

    “Mama?” The soft voice from behind her made her turn around.

    Cassandra smiled down at her little boy, Tyler James.  He was only six but already so
    smart and so handsome.  Cassandra would give her life for her child… and she thanked God
    every day for blessing her with him.

    “What is it sweetie?” Cassandra asked softly, coming to his side.  She knelt down in
    front of him and looked into his light green eyes.

    “I thought I lost you.” Tyler admitted quietly, wrapping his skinny little arms around
    his mother’s neck.

    Cassandra hugged him tightly and felt the tears build in her eyes. “No, sweetheart, I’m
    right here.  Mama’s right here… I’m not going anywhere.”  She stroked his short, silky dark
    hair. “I would never leave you, baby… I’m sorry I left you in the car.  I promise not to do
    it again, okay? Mama just wanted to see the sunset.”

    Tyler sniffed a little and pulled back to stare into his mother’s eyes. “Promise?”

    Cassandra felt her heart break a little more. “Of course I do, Tyler.  I love you…”

    “Love you too, Mama.” Tyler smiled his little boy smile that melted her heart.

    Picking him up, she walked back to the car that was a few feet away.  They had to get
    moving if they wanted to make it to their destination in time.  She kissed Tyler’s forehead
    as she buckled him back into his seat, then slid into the driver’s seat.  She smiled at him
    before starting the car and pulling away from the beach.

    Florida was definitely a beautiful place to live… she hoped Tyler liked it here.  It
    seemed like the perfect place for a little boy to grow up.  Cassandra glanced around at the
    beautiful scenery, bathed in the sunset’s glow.  She smiled wistfully.  It was so perfect,
    it was almost unreal… but it was real.  Everything about Cassandra’s life was real and about
    to become a cold, stark reality.