At twenty four years old Tom thought he knew what he needed to. A new graduate of college and starting his first job in the fall, Tom had some time to kill. "Europe", he thought.

      As the oldest, Julie took it upon herself to serve out justice between her two younger sisters, Anna and Aubrey, although only being eight years old herself at times it was challenging to judge who was to be served what.

     Standing in the kitchen, contemplating the void that was the refrigerator, Lisa had a rare moment of home-sickness.  Generally, she loved her life, but tonight she was nostalgic for the days when someone else decided what was for dinner.   She settled on left-over chinese take out and headed for the sofa to watch television.  Before she could sit, the doorbell startled her.  She sat the take out on the coffee table and headed to the door, wondering if Jake had decided not to play poker tonight after all.  

     "Mom!" she screached as she opened the door, "I was just thinking about you."  She reached out to hug her mother and was greeted with a suitcase.  A suitcase, she quickly realized, that was one of many.

      " Your father and I are getting divorced." Her mother stated flatly, "I need a place to stay."