Dominique turns to face the camera. ‘I’m a single mother, trying her best to raise two wonderful boys in a loving environment. I’d give anything for them to lead normal lives, but those weren’t the cards we were dealt. Ennis Chaney’s leadership helped save the world, he supported Mick when few others did. The president is a stable hand at the helm during these rocky times, exactly what we need. What we don’t need is a knee-jerk God-fearing reaction based on bully boy tactics. Elect a fanatical monster like Peter Mabus, and America no longer becomes a melting pot of liberty, it becomes a haven for the privileged few, a nation as close-minded as those Muslim-dominated countries we’ve been conditioned to hate over the years.’

Jacob stands next to his mother. He holds her hand, staring into the camera.

‘Please don’t vote for Peter Mabus. He wants to kill my family.’

Belle Glade, Florida

Three-year-old Lilith Eve Robinson stands next to the television set, staring into the white-haired boy’s brilliant eyes. ‘Grandpa Quenton, look! He has pretty blue eyes just like me.’

The minister drains the rest of his gin as he thumbs through his monthly bills. ‘How many times I got to tell you, child? Turn that goddam television off and get to bed!’

‘Yes, sir.’

Lilith powers off the set using the remote, then crawls onto the sofa, pulling the wool blanket over her head.

Quenton tosses the empty liquor bottle into the kitchen trash. ‘I’m goin’ out. Don’t you even think’a movin’ your ass offa that couch or I’ll whup it good.’

‘Yes, sir.’

The minister staggers out the front door, slamming it close behind him.

Lilith listens. Waits until the car pulls out the driveway, then turns the television back on. The interview is over, the older woman back at her desk, talking to a colleague.

At the bottom of the screen is the 20/20 e-mail address.

Lilith commits it to memory, shuts off the television, then climbs onto her foster grandfather’s chair and boots his computer. She signs onto the Internet, and types in 20/20’s address.

DEAR JACOB:

I HAVE BRIGHT BLUE EYES, JUST LIKE YOU, AND I CAN READ AND WRITE, JUST LIKE YOU, AND I LOVE YOU. PLEASE LET ME LIVE WITH YOU.

LOVE LILITH EVE.

7

JANUARY 17, 2016: CAPITOL HILL, WASHINGTON, DC

President Reelect Ennis Chaney climbs up to the dais, shakes hands with the Speaker of the House and Vice President Marion Rallo, the first woman ever to hold an executive office, then turns to face the applauding members of Congress and the American people.