Chapter 1
Grace heard a loud knock on her front door. She could see the tall, broad shoulders of a man in a uniform standing with a wispy teenage girl on her front porch. She slid off the stool at her kitchen island and slowly made her way to the door.
As she got closer she could see through the wavy glass the young girl was smeared with mud on her face and clothes. She had a tattered green backpack swung over her shoulder and her white sneakers were grey with grime. As she swung open the door she could see tears in the eyes of the girl. Just then she realized it was her granddaughter, Lilly.
“Sorry to bother you, Ma’am. I am one of the night guards from the bus station over on route 7. This girl said she ran away. Says this is where she lives.”
“Yes sir. We had an argument and she just ran off. You know how teenage girls can be, don’t cha?”
“Why yes, Ma’am. I am raising 4 of them myself. Just please make sure she doesn’t run to the bus station next time. My wife is not fond of me being late for dinner on account of some misbehavin’ teenage girl.”
“Of course. We will work it out. It won’t happen again. Thanks so much for driving her home.”
Once the door closed Grace just stood there in awe. Lilly froze and looked terrified of what Grace’s reaction might be.
Grace took a slow step forward and wrapped her arms around Lilly’s shoulders and pulled her in tight. They both started to sob.
Now to plan for the wrath of what was to come. They’d be comin’ for her. They won’t let her go easy. There is too much at stake.
Melissa Dee 