“Mom, you’re zoning out again,” Ava’s voice snapped Jessica back to the kitchen, a place where chaos reigned supreme. Noah was darting after Ethan, weaving around the table, while the twins were bickering over the final piece of toast.
“I’m okay, darling,” Jessica replied, managing a smile despite her feelings. In reality, she simply wasn’t. Raising five kids on my own since Johnathan passed away two years ago has felt like navigating a relentless storm without any refuge.
Bills stacked high, sorrow hung in the air, and the Eviction Notice that came a few weeks ago felt like the last straw. With just a month to pack up and leave, Jessica felt completely lost about where they would end up.
Just days before they were set to pack up and leave, another letter found its way into her mailbox, joining the pile of overdue bills. This envelope stood out from the rest; it was simple and unadorned, lacking a return address, with only her name hastily written on the front. Her hands trembled as she ripped it open, bracing herself for the worst.
