James Mitchum Oates was born in Chicago, IL. with a clean slate. But what was the beginning seemed like the end as James was diagnosed with severe asthma as a baby. He survives. Shortly after leaving the hospital to be with his family, he is bombarded with many hardships. He and his family move to Kansas City, MO. after a fire destroys their home. There, he faces many challenges, but he and his family have to deal with the death of their beloved Carter Bradley Oates. Soon afterwards, James finds himself struggling through life as he loses both his mind and his identity. But the way he regains himself and shocks everyone is the special ending to the story.