Being a single father is sometimes like walking a tightrope over a pit of fire.

Every step feels like it could be painful, and no matter how careful you are, you always get burned.

My life hasn't been great, far from it.

A dead-end job at a local hardware store, overdue bills

piling up on the counter, and more sleepless nights than I could count. But there was one bright

spot in it all. My son, Danny. He was the kind of kid who would smile his way through just about everything.

He deserved way more than I could hope to give him, yet he never so much has complained,

even when he had all the reason to. He worked hard at school, did his chores without grumbling,

and always tried to cheer me up

when he saw me staring at the stack of envelopes marked past you.

It was just a week before Christmas when he came home from school, his face lit up with

that kind of pure joy only kids seemed to have. He'd been going on about this toy for months, a limited edition figure from Mackie's

Fun Time Playhouse.

Mackie's was a live-action show in our small town with over-the-top mascots, characters in bright,

oversized costumes and a line of toys that drove the local kids insane with obsession.

The one Danny wanted, Mega Mackey Deluxe, was the crown jewel of the set.

Dad!

Dad!

He said, practically bouncing with excitement.

Mrs. Higgins said I'm getting an award at school for doing so good on my tests. You remember what you said, right?

My heart sank.

This was the best, worst-case scenario.

...