[1][2] The story focuses on Gerald Nickelby, an African American boy who struggles with life after the death of his aunt.

Originally, the first chapter of Forged by Fire appeared as a short story in Ebony magazine in January 1991 under the title "One Small Torch."

The story begins with a three-year-old boy named Gerald Nickelby who lives with his single mother Monique.

After Queen dies, Gerald is forced to move back with his mother, and discovers his stepfather's abusive side.

The stove soon sets the house on fire once more, and after a fight between Gerald and Jordan, the latter dies, and the two children are reunited with their mother and hopeful of a new future together.