Three of Hearts

The stigma of being poor is hard for most children. For eleven year old Hunter Logan it was no exception. In spite of the adversities in his life, Hunter studied hard and made good grades. It was not that he exactly enjoyed studying, he just did not want to be stigmatized as being stupid as well as poor. Hunter's home life was miserable. An only child, he lived in a ramshackle house with his mother and father. Mr. Logan drank heavily and was abusive to him and his mother. Mrs. Logan had given up on life and spent her days disengaged from the world. The sad little boy was on his own to fend for himself and make his way in the world. If things weren't bad enough, one day Hunter's father beat him severely and banished him to live in the backyard shed. He was only allowed in the house to bathe and eat when his father was away. Wanting to care for his own needs, Hunter gained the trust of Tom Lane who owned a grocery story. Mr. Lane allowed him to work a couple of hours a week and paid him in cash. One day Hunter met Annaset Mitchell who was his own age and attended the same school. She was beautiful and popular. As her friend, Hunter was accepted into her circle of popularity. As time went by the two joined the school band and later formed a band of their own, Thunder. Playing for school and local events, Thunder became a local favorite. Thunder was tapped to play for a televised charity event which paved the way for the teen band to step into the big leagues. While the band members were still in high school, Thunder climbed the ladder of fame and fortune. The teenagers lives were swept up in the world of music and quickly became one of the hottest bands of the times.