Freedom’s Eve

I saw myself sifting through smoldering ruins, searching for a shoebox, praying it survived.

The fire had taken everything.

Orange flames swallowed our belongings along with the security of tucking my children into bed. Raging heat incinerated the promise of Christmas morning, leaving us barefoot in pajamas on the frozen front lawn.

Even the goldfish floated belly-up in its bowl.

When he is gone, we will rebuild. We’ll finally have a fresh start.

Striking the match snapped me from my daydream. The shoebox of baby photos was hidden safely behind a tree, and freedom flickered between my fingertips...