In this emotional and at times shocking debut, author Ralph Harper shares the unique relationship he forged with his stepson, Cody, while deftly weaving their personal tales into the larger portrait of what fatherhood means in today’s society. Highlighting the increasing incidents of children being raised without a father at home, Harper examines the far-reaching consequences of what this means for future generations. An increasing number of men make the choice to abandon their families, leaving their children with a void that cannot be filled. The question is “why?” The decision a man makes to either stay in his family’s life or to run when times get tough is motivated by many factors, but Harper sets out to prove that “stepping up,” and either staying in or rejoining your children’s lives, is always the right choice.