As Francine drifted off to sleep under the soft blankets in front of the warm fire, she was happy and content. Tommy was safe and asleep in the next sofa, wearing his new woolen cap. Her thoughts were on the last few days when the universe did in fact show them...
“C’mon Tommy, get your coat on, we’re gonna get us a tree,” declared Max. “Yes!!” shouted Tommy as his mom helped him get snuggled into his coat, so pleased to see his joy. The boys both headed out through the kitchen door. The sun shone brightly against the new...
Pointing to the stone hearth Max said, “Just put the wood down there,” and proceeded to teach Tommy the fine art of lighting the fireplace. Making sure the chimney flue was opened he put down the crumpled newspapers and smaller kindling first, and as soon as they lit,...
They were all sitting around the kitchen table getting warm, sipping hot chocolate. Francine smiled and was grateful to be out of the snow. Max’s question echoed in her mind, what are you running from? She was embarrassed asking for help but her first priority was the...
A frazzled twenty-four-year-old Francine Hope drove through the snow coated streets with her six-year-old son Tommy. The plan was to get far enough away from Los Angeles and the horrific memories it held for her. It was important to just drive north on the I-5,...
