Protagonist Lu Richardson’s mother, Christina, calls him “Lighting” because “lightning so special it don’t never happen the same way or at the same place twice” (1). Lu explains that his mother calls him Lightning because he is one in 17,000 born without melanin; Lu has albinism. His birth was even more profound because his mother was not supposed to be able to have kids at all. So, when at dinner Lu’s parents tell him that they are expecting another baby, Lu is surprised.

Lu’s parents tell him that they have an appointment with their doctor the next day. Lu’s mother asks him if he wants to go to the doctor’s appointment with them, where they will find out the sex of the baby, or if he wants to go to track practice. She gives him a choice, understanding that this is the week before Lu’s championship track meet with his team, the Defenders.

Lu says he will go to practice instead of the doctor’s appointment because he wants to be surprised. His mother explains that they have already planned for Lu’s coach, Coach, to bring him home after practice. Lu’s mother asks Lu whether he is excited about the news of a new baby, and Lu hesitates: “It’s a little…I don’t know.