Many a Sudden Change

...a character-driven novel rooted in the complex emotions of loss love forgiveness and understanding. The storyline is smooth and emotional and will resonate with readers long after the final page. BookLife PrizeWhen a car accident kills her daughter Clarice is left to care for her eight-year-old autistic grandson Eric. Overwhelmed with grief and the responsibility of raising an unruly special needs child Clarice contacts the boys estranged father Matthew a Marine. She does not tell him that his son is autistic.Eric doesnt understand the concept of death and he becomes obsessed with finding his mother in heaven.On Matthews final mission in Afghanistan an explosion injures him and kills one of his men. Though Matthew represses the trauma that day haunts him and contributes to his already festering PTSD.When Matthew meets Eric for the first time he is furious with Clarice for not telling him about the boys problems and he storms from the house. After a drinking binge and soul searching he commits to building a relationship with Eric but as his attachment to Eric grows so does Clarices.The relationship between Clarice and Matthew is tense. Matthew blames Clarices family for keeping his son from him. Clarice thinks Matthew deserted her daughter and only later in the story do they discover that they were all deceived by Clarices late husband who had turned Matthew away when he came to ask for Megans hand in marriage.Clarice becomes involved with a self-centered man who pressures her to turn custody of Eric over to Matthew. Clarice however has concerns about Matthews PTSD.Matthews anger issues and drinking keep him from truly connecting with Eric Clarice and a young woman hes started seeing.A trip to Griffith Park Observatory where Eric thinks he will see heaven results in Eric publicly melting down and Matthew losing his cool in front of his girlfriend and Clarice violently dragging Eric from the observatory.Clarice breaks up with her boyfriend but he later shows up at her house drunk. He and Matthew fight and when Matthew almost renders the older man unconscious Clarice realizes she must take custody of Eric. Horrified by Matthews anger and aggression his girlfriend breaks up with him. Despondent Matthew tries to hang himself in his garage but Clarice finds him and paramedics rush him to the hospital. While tending Matthew at his bedside Clarice realizes that Matthew is more than Erics father. He has become a son and her daughters tragic death brought forth an unbreakable bond between Clarice and Eric. A family worth saving.At Clarices urging Matthew reluctantly seeks treatment. The therapist helps Matthew recall his last day in Afghanistan and the explosion that killed his Corporal. He is finally able to look at the events without self-blame. She opens a door for Matthew to consider the possibility that he is capable and trustworthy to raise Eric.Clarice Matthew and Eric begin the process of building a life together.