Three sisters

uiet street. Inside sat a tired looking woman with worry lines etched across her forehead and three young girls, ag

al abuse, their mom Janet had finally worked up the courage to ask for a divorce. His response was to rage at her, threatening to make her life miserable if she tried to take "his" daughters away. The next day, she had arrived home from work to fi

morning, she wiped her eyes dry and set her jaw in determination. She would not let her daughters pay the price for their father's cru

lay abandoned at the curb. Janet tried not to let the girls see how nervous she was about this neighborhood, assuring them a smaller house would be cozier. Inside though, fear was knotting her

rown eyes took in the cracked concrete walkway leading to the front door of 517 Maple Street—a small, boxy rental house whose white siding had long ago faded to gray. The tiny lawn was more

ly, turning her freckled face to her moth

ly haired Emma out of her car seat, setting the shy six year old on her feet. immediately wrapped both arms tightly

slowly up the sidewalk, leaning on a cane yet walking with an air of purpose. Tufts of white hair circled his bald

, your next door neighbor. Glad to see some new faces

s...Leah, Emma and Eve." At the sound of her name, four year old Eve peeked out shyly fro

up my tired old street." He winked. "Maybe when you all get se

ge boys fiddling with a bike on the sidewalk down the street. The houses here certainly didn't lo

t next door." He tilted his head, studying Janet with knowing eyes. "Starting fresh ain't ea

a shaky breath, nodding thanks to the old man. Clasping Eve's hand

gs, let's go se

it a firm jiggle until the stubborn lock finally clicked. Taking a deep breath, she push

scrubby little lawn. The green carpet was old but looked clean, if worn. Off the living room was an open kitchen with peeling linoleum

e smile. "Well, here we are girls! I know it needs some fi

lip trembled as she clung to her mother. Leah

tly. "And it smells weird

s some airing out, sweetie. Why don't you three explore while I

y down the hall. She couldn't blame them for not being thrilled. This cramped little dump of

eeded to make this work somehow. Her meager savings wouldn't support them for

kes and other belongings sat in neat piles. Her furniture formed a makeshift porch along the sidewalk. And her new

trating the activity with a big grin. He

er our own here on Maple." He squeezed her shoulder gently. "You and

Janet burst