Hey, Prime members, you can listen to against the odds at free on Amazon music. Download the app today.

A listener note. This episode contains depictions of abusive behavior that some listeners might find upsetting. Please be advised.

Aida Blackjack.

Trudges through the muddy streets of Nome, Alaska. It's an unusually warm morning in the spring of 1921. The snow melts into dirty puddles, which she does her best to avoid.

Nome is an old gold rush to the city.

The gold rush ended decades ago, and now it's seen better days. Blackjack weaves past ramshackle wooden shanties, bordered up saloons and dirty puddles.

The snow melts into dirty puddles, which she does her best to avoid.

Nome is an old gold rush town on Alaska's west coast. But the gold rush ended decades ago. And now it's seen better days.

Last past ramshackle wooden shanties, bordered up saloons and dirty prospectors tense. The stench of raw sewage fills the air, rising from ditches on the side of the road.

In her arms she holds her five year old son, Bennett. Blackjack is a small woman, less than five feet tall. But Bennett is so frail, she carries him with ease.

She rinses as Bennett lets out a loud dry cough. Tuberculosis is ravaging his lungs. As soon as he catches his breath, he looks up at his mother.

Mama, did you know I have a pet reindeer, and I ride on this back. It's true. He goes so fast. I have to grab his horns to stay on.

Blackjack squeezes him tight. She's going to miss his stories. They stop in front of a tall wooden building, the Jesse Lee home for children.

Blackjack takes a deep breath as she stares at the front door. Every part of her wants to turn around. She grew up in a place like this after her father died.

The last thing she wants to do is make her son do the same. But she has no choice. Bennett lets out another violent cough, and Blackjack holds him tighter against her chest.

Weeks ago, Bennett's father abandoned them, and now she's barely scraping by. She makes a modest living, cleaning houses and sewing clothes for miners. But the money is never enough.

She can't afford medical care for Bennett, but the Jesse Lee home for children can. Blackjack sets her jaw in determination. She's already watched two of her children die. She's not losing a third.

The door opens to reveal an older woman with gray hair wound into a tight bun. She looks Blackjack up and down. You must be Mrs. Blackjack. And this is Bennett? Blackjack nods, as Bennett buries his face in her shoulder.

Mama, please don't make me go. Blackjack fights back tears. The woman shakes her head disapprovingly. Come now, young man. You're too old for these hysterics. She pulls Bennett away from Blackjack. Bennett wails and struggles, trying to free himself from the woman's grasp. But she holds him firm.

Blackjack feels like her heart is being ripped from her chest. As soon as I have enough money, I'll be back for you. I promise. She turns away so that Bennett won't see the tears running down her face.

She hears the door close behind her, but it doesn't stifle the sound of Bennett's cries. The sound gets quieter as she walks away slowly in the days. Ada Blackjack always keeps her promises. She will come back for Bennett, but not until she has enough money to take care of him properly. And to get that money, she'll do whatever it takes.

Hi there, Wondry listeners. Hannah and Sruti here from TrueCram Podcast Redhanded. Your favourite podcast Redhanded. We just wanted to say how excited we are to be included in Amazon Music and Wondry's best podcasts of the year as chosen by their listeners, which is you.

...