Kevin Nelson, left, and his 14-year-old son, Keaton, ride ATVs on a back road outside Kennett, Mo. Next January, Kevin will complete his 18-month probation, a final step towards freedom after graduating from a drug rehabilitation program. Kevin began using meth when he was 19, slipping in and out of addiction over the next 20 years.

Keaton shares a moment with Kevin at the Delta Fair parade. Kevin regained full custody of his son in June from his ex-wife who has recently fallen back into addiction.

Kevin driving a work truck he is taking in for repair. Two years ago, Kevin was facing another drug possession charge and a potential two-year prison sentence. Instead of going to court, he asked to take his trial to Drug Court which offers suspended sentencing if individuals complete a rehabilitation program and stay sober for two years.

Kylind Glover, 3, and his brother Landon, 4, wait for Kevin as they prepare to head to school. Kevin met his girlfriend, Taylor Glover, in Drug Court, where she worked in the kitchen managing cooks. 

Kevin helps Paisley Glover, 6, fix her hair before heading off to school. The further he gets from addiction, the more normalcy is injected into his life.

Keaton and Kevin, with their dog Rello, in the living room the day after Keaton was suspended from middle school for getting in a fight. Since his arrival in Kennett, Keaton has had a hard time adjusting, but prior to getting in a fight, Kevin had noticed him beginning to come around. “He’s started to change his attitude, I don’t want him to go down the same path (I did), but I don’t think he will, he’s seen what happens first hand," he said.

One of Kevin's prison tattoos shows a smiling face, torn in half to reveal a menacing skull. “It’s how some people are, they smile to your face and then stab you in the back,” he said. 

Kevin sits in a work truck prior to heading off for a job. “It really bothers me a lot,” Nelson says reflecting on his time using drugs. “I’ve started over and lost everything so many times, it’s just insane.”

Keaton and Kevin fly through the air on a ride at the Delta Fair. Nelson said he knows his son isn’t mad, and just wanted him to get better. He said he knows how much it hurt his son for him to be away. “I’m not going back,” he said.