Rise from Ashes

t was an opportunity, a way out of the constant struggle, the endless worry about bills, a

ad firmly, pushing

to do, and I needed to finish it. Granny would be

ent of home greeted me, a mix of Granny's herbal remedies and the faint, lingering smell of the stew we had fo

ting my things down and moving

and then Granny's frail voice responded

ing there, propped up against the pill

this, so much smaller and more

lar of our little family. Now, it

a smile as I sat down on the edge

ough the movement lacked its usua

tired, that's al

I didn't want to worry her, but at the same time, I

owly, "but something hap

sly, her eyes sharper n

r about the car, about Alexander

from concern to surprise, and finally to

" she asked, her voice

it, but I don't know, Granny. It just feels too good to be true

mforting. "Amelia, sometimes opportunities come in unexpected ways. I know it's hard

rificing so much. Maybe it's tim

ng, doing what needed to be done, that I hadn't stopped to think about

ust setting myself up for disappointment?

ade me feel like a little girl again, safe and p

have to take a leap of faith. And if it doesn't work

been afraid for so long, afraid of failing, of letting her d

from my pocket. The embossed letters seemed to glint in

determination settling in

she squeezed my hand.

r on the card. My heart pounded in my chest as the phone rang once, tw

er Grey

voice steady. "It's Amelia Clark. I'

to hear that, Amelia. Can you start tomorrow? My offic

I said, my voice str

. I look forward t

ent, letting the reality of what I'd just don

sed from the outside. But I wasn't just doing this

edside, she was beaming at me

e amazing, Amelia,

her forehead. "I hope so,

s was still there, but it was accompanied by some

the day slowly lifted, replac

inty, but also the pr

ll me to sleep, believing that maybe, jus