Brian Lee's mother can no longer afford to keep him and is sending him back to stay with his father. He determines that he will sit on his doorstep and pray until he gets an answer.

"Me and Jamie," he [Brian Lee] said, "me and Jamie are starting this club. Down by the creek. I may need to borrow a few things for it."
"Brian Lee," she said gently, "I have something to tell you."
"We need something to use for chairs and maybe an old pot."
"Listen to me, honey. You're going to have to go stay with your daddy for a while."
Brian Lee's eyes gazed at her face in astonishment. He was eight years old. He hadn't even seen his daddy for three years.
"Why?" he blurted.
"Well, you know I got laid off awhile back, and I just haven't been able to find any work. I need some time to get back on my feet, and your daddy has agreed to take you in."
"You mean you're sending me away?"
"Just for a little while, honey. Just until I can get another job."
"But I don't want to."
"I'm sorry."
Brian Lee stared at his mother. She looked so old. She had pouchy places under her eyes and her mouth turned down instead of up at the corners. She didn't even look pretty anymore.
"I'm not going," he yelled as he jumped up from the table and fled to his room. He slammed the door and crept, weeping, into his bed. She was sending him away, but he couldn't think about that anymore.
"Please,God," he whispered,
"Please don't make me go."