A Cry For Hope Read Online Free PDF

shoulder.
    “Everyone ready?” the lady asked, just before snapping the picture. She held the camera out and looked at the screen. “Is that good?” she asked.
    I looked at the screen and smiled. “It’s perfect! Thank you so much.”
    “You are very welcome! Enjoy the rest of your trip,” she said.
    “Thanks. You, too!” I said as she walked away.
    I looked down at the picture once again. I couldn’t stop smiling at my handsome husband and my adorable little boy. They were my boys forever.
    “Are you done staring at the picture and ready to go?” Jamie laughed.
    “No, I will never be done staring at this perfect picture. You know, out of all the pictures that I’ve taken on this trip, this is the only one of the three of us.”
    He shook his head and smiled, taking one last sip of his water and getting up. Charlie got up quickly, and threw his soda cup and plate in the trash. “Come on, Dad. Let’s go get in line for Splash Mountain!” Charlie exclaimed. Due to his excitement, he wasn’t paying attention and ran right into Donald Duck, who was dressed up like Davy Crockett. He placed his hand on Charlie’s shoulders as Charlie looked up at him and smiled.
    “Oh, Charlie, let me get a picture of you and Donald Duck.”
    “But we need to get in line…,” he began to protest.
    “I’ll make a deal with you. If you let me get a nice picture of you and Donald, I will go on Splash Mountain with you.”
    “Are you feeling okay?” Jamie joked.
    “Shush!” I said, pulling out my camera, waiting for Charlie’s response.
    “For real?” he asked, a smile spreading across his face.
    “For real.”
    He moved closer to Donald and smiled the biggest smile possible. I snapped the picture and took a deep breath, knowing that I had to hold up on my end of the deal. Charlie grabbed my hand and we headed over to the line. “Aren’t you coming?” I asked Jamie, who stopped just before getting in line.
    “Nope, someone has to hold your stuff. You wouldn’t want your camera to get wet, would you?” he teased.
    “Haha, you are so funny!” I said, handing him my purse. “I hope you have the life insurance paid up because I just may have a heart attack,” I said, only half joking.
    “You will be fine!” he laughed.
    Charlie and I stood in line for what seemed like forever. Finally, the endless wait was over and my nerves were getting the best of me. We were just about to board the ride when Charlie looked up at me, squinting into the bright sunlight. “Don’t worry, Mommy. You can hold my hand if it gets too scary.”
    I leaned down and kissed him on the head. “Thank you, sweet boy. I think I may just need to do that, if it’s okay with you.”
     

 
    After a very restless night, I awoke the next morning and lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. I was trying to muster up the strength to get up and face the world. I finally forced myself out of bed and walked into the kitchen, finding a note on the table.
Hopie,
I’m at the bakery if you need me.  Made you some blueberry muffins.   They’re on the counter.  You know where the coffee is at.  See you later.
Love,
Mom xoxo
    My mother had managed to keep herself busy since my dad’s death. After being a housewife her entire life, she finally followed her lifelong dream two years ago and was now a proud owner of Mary’s Sweet Tooth. She was a great baker and always dreamed of owning her own bakery. I was so happy that her business was doing so well and that she was doing something that gave her so much enjoyment. I was hoping that now that she was out in the world a bit more, maybe she would find someone to offer her some companionship, even if it was just dinner and a movie. She was still so young, at heart and physically. Everyone called me her twin. We did look very much alike. We both had dark hair, dark eyes, and the same heart-shaped face. My dad would always tease me when I was younger and say that he only hoped that I didn’t nag like her