The wind howled like an angry wolf making the snow dance as if it were a brilliantly choreographed winter chorus line. The lake was frozen boasting at least a six inch solid surface. In the distance you could hear kids playing hockey on the small patch of ice they had managed to shovel for a rink. The sun tried aimlessly to break through the clouds overhead. It was a perfect day Sophie thought to herself as she walked along the country road she had come to know as hers. She had only lived there for six months yet she felt as though she had lived there all her life.

Years had passed since her childhood where she had grown up on a similar lake. Still remembering the peace that seemed to embrace every season when the neighborhood kids would get together and play. Winters they would sled down the hills onto the ice and when they got tired of that they were ice skating or having snowball fights. Yet there was also tremendous pain that accompanied the memories born there. As a youth and even more as a young adult her time there was bittersweet, perhaps that was why she chose not to find her home back in her "hometown". The love for the lake, never dissipated.

This was as good a second choice as it gets, with the view of the kids playing; she smiled feeling peaceful, thinking that she had finally made it to the second stage of her life. More than simply surviving, Sophie made it. She made something of herself and at times like these, realized it. It took such simple things to please her, unless it had something to do with her career where nothing seemed to be enough for her. Sophie enjoyed being alone after numerous attempts at love she had finally accepted the fact that she was not relationship material. It had been almost a year since she talked to the last jerk that appeared to be all that and a bag of chips while finding his way to another woman's arms.

Sophie was going to make a new life in her new town and write her heart out. Filled with stories that she started and never finished she was armed with an arsenal of material to become the writer that she wanted to be. Then she would travel the world, visit her children and live her life to the fullest. Sophie smiled when she thought about the fact that she didn't have to put her toothbrush in the same toothbrush holder as anyone else. It was about time she take care of herself instead of everyone else she thought in agreement with herself. Yes, this was going to be a fun relaxing stage of her life when she can do whatever she chooses.

The wind kicked up again and she pulled the Parker tighter and adjusted her scarf. The cold didn't even bother her with her new found sense of freedom. Watching the kids on the ice reminded her so much of her childhood. Funny, that it didn't seem like so very long ago even though it had been more than three decades. Sophie smiled to herself again thinking about how much easier it was to think of age in decades. Why hadn't she thought of that sooner? She picked up a ball of snow and with all her strength threw it to see how far she could throw. Pleased with herself, she picked up the pace and tackled the small hill.

Mrs. Wood was shoveling her driveway up ahead with caution that came with age. A widow in her eighties, Mrs. Wood became one of Sophie's dearest neighbors with a sharp mind and gentle spirit.

"Mrs. Wood, what are doing?" Sophie asked with authority. It appeared to catch the old woman off guard.

Sheepishly with the tone of a child who just got caught with her hand in the cookie jar she replied, "Why, I am, well, oh hell Sophie, I just had to do something!"

Hands on her hips and prepared to be parental Sophie shot her a stern look. "You promised!" She let out a sigh, "You said you would let me get the driveway for you!"

Apologetic Mrs. Wood set the shovel down, "I'm sorry. But I hate having to depend on other people to do the things I should be doing myself."

Sophie picked up the shovel and gave her beloved friend a hug. "Sorry dear, but you are not twenty anymore. Must I remind you that you just got out of the hospital?"

The two women laughed as Sophie started to shovel. "I have a job for you, why don't you get into the warm house and make some hot chocolate. Thanks to you, I will only be a minute. The snow is light and I need to work out some aggression."

Without an argument Mrs. Wood went inside. Sophie knew that hot chocolate was not the only thing she could look forward to. Mrs. Wood was a notorious baker. There wasn't a time that Sophie knew her that she didn't have brownies or a cake fresh out of the oven. In fact one of Mrs. Wood's granddaughters was always winning a prize for selling the most at the church bake sales. Everyone knew that Mrs. Wood's goodies were going to be there and the line simply formed out the door while patrons waited patiently to purchase one of her baked goods.

It was a shame that the doctors told her to slow down. After loosing Mr. Wood, "Woody" as most knew him, she did everything and anything to keep her mind and heart from being lonely. Mrs. Wood volunteered for the hospice program, helped shuttle her three grandchildren, Brian who was 9, Sadie 6, and Michelle 13, for her oldest son and his wife. Always young in spirit, Mrs. Wood had truly been a godsend for Sophie. In fact it was hard to tell the age difference in the way they confided in each other. Sophie was the daughter that Mrs. Wood had always wanted. They both enjoyed the new found friendship and had become buddies. It was hard to believe that it had only been a few months from the fateful day that they had met.

Snow started to fall lightly again as Sophie put the shovel in the shed and headed into the house. The breezeway smelled of fresh soap and was warm and inviting. Mr. Wood had built the home for the two of them with wood walls and heavy beams giving the home a sense of New England character. Mrs. Wood decorated with country charm and had a place for everything and everything was in its place. Sophie hung her coat and put her shoes on the built in shelf beside the door. She could see Mrs. Wood watering her plants with the carafe of hot chocolate and what looked like one of her famous apple pies waiting to be sliced.

"Ummm, it smells so good in here." Sophie said sincerely.

"Thank you, I thought you might like a bite of fresh apple pie with your cocoa."

"I would, but I will never lose weight with you around!" She said as she picked up the knife and started to cut the pie. Steam came out and the fresh smell of cinnamon and baked apples filled the air.

"How do you do it?" Sophie asked admirably. It seemed that the woman never slowed down, never complained and was always taking care of others.

Flattered and slightly confused the gray haired woman just smiled with warmth that radiated class and beauty. "I have nothing better to do!"

It was the first time that Sophie remembered hearing sadness in her voice. Well hidden or at least the attempt was made to cover it, Sophie could hear it, almost feel it.

"What's going on?" Sophie asked sternly. "You can't hide your feelings from me."

"It's Jim and Diane." Mrs. Wood said sadly. "They filed for divorce yesterday."

"Wow!" Sophie said with genuine surprise. Jim and Diane had seemed to be the perfect couple. Their three kids were all good kids, active, smart and well mannered.

Mrs. Wood pulled up a chair to the wood table that filled the large open kitchen. The windows were all around on each side of the three walls filling the room with light and the view of the snowy day.

"I am just worried sick about what this will do to them and especially the children. It came out of nowhere and the worst part is that they don't think I know. Can you believe it, something so major in Jim's life and he doesn't even tell his own mother!"

Sophie took the woman's hand and gave support. "It will work out, kids are resilient and they have you and two good people for parents that will help them. Who knows maybe they will work through things."

"It isn't that easy. You know that." The woman said with tears in her eyes.

Sophie was at a loss for words. Divorce was difficult on the kids, she had never thought of how hard it was for the rest of the family. She could see that it was another very difficult loss to Mrs. Wood. First her husband and now her son's family was being torn apart. "It will be okay, you'll see."

As the two sipped their warm cocoa Sophie watched the fire dance gently in the large wall fireplace Mr. Wood had built out of the large field stone he found in the land they had purchased nearly 50 years ago. One of the many architectural icons that shaped that house into a home built with love and devotion. The chandelier that hung above the table was made of wrought iron that Mr. Wood pounded into the unique shape. Who knew old horseshoes could make such a beautiful chandelier. Mrs. Wood then took the lamps and covered them with the same fabric that hung on the windows.

Mellow and introverted the two women sat without words lingering in the moment. Sophie had never had such love and devotion from anyone so it was hard to relate to a life of such oneness. Divorce was familiar to her so the news wasn't as hard to swallow. Not that she didn't hold Mrs. Woods family with the highest of regard, it just didn't seem to be the dark, bleak ending that Mrs. Wood was projecting.

"I'd better go, I have an article to write and dishes stacked a mile high from not getting home until late this week." Sophie said as she started to clean the table for Mrs. Wood. "Thanks for the pie! Oh and if I catch you shoveling again I will have to do something unspeakable!"

Laughter filled the room as the two shared a brief moment of understanding. Sophie had been the one who found Mrs. Wood after her heart attack and she promised Sam, the eldest son, that she would look out for her neighbor. Sam worked in the city and while he gets to spend some time in the summer taking care of the house and land, he doesn't get home much. He was full of gratitude to Sophie for being such a caring neighbor. They spoke often on the phone but the conversations were always brief. Sam sent Sophie a gift certificate to a local restaurant as a thank you for her help. Sophie put it on the refrigerator knowing that she would only use it to take Mrs. Wood out to dinner.

"I will call you later to see how you are doing. Promise me that you won't think about it too much will you? Or I will have to buy you a copy of the Serenity Prayer to recite when you think you can do something to change it."

"I know. I will get through this; honestly I think the medication is still making me weepy and sentimental. It is hard to watch your children go through difficult times, you know that."

Sophie did know something about that, she thought on her walk home. The temperature dropped since the walk over, or was it that the warmth of the house had spoiled her. She pulled the scarf around her neck and started the walk home. The wind stung her eyes as it made its razor sharp turns around her body. The snow started to fall heavily as if someone let the bucket empty all at once. A few more steps she thought as she pushed herself to keep moving. Suddenly out of nowhere she could see headlights coming her way. The roads were recently plowed so she tried to step onto the piles that lined the street.

The car drove by her without slowing even a bit to give her room. It was almost as if they didn't even see her. The snow now filled her boot and caused her already freezing cold body to beg for heat. Her house was just ahead and with a sigh of relief she actually began to look forward to the work she had and the housework seemed like a joy compared to the walk. Winter in Vermont certainly lived up to its reputation. In the distance she could hear a dog barking. Almost home, Thank God, she said to herself. As she reached the driveway the barking got louder and her senses told her something was wrong sending a chill not related to the cold up her spine. Sophie looked around but couldn't see anything. The kids were no longer skating and the only thing in sight was snow falling.

Sophie opened the front door and stripped off her winter clothes hanging what she could before making a pot of coffee. The large glass window displayed a beautiful view of the snowy lake. She pulled in some wood from the porch and lit the fire. It was the perfect day to relax and enjoy the weekend. Even a few dishes and work would not hasten her mood. She put on music, rolled up her sleeves and began the dish routine. It would have been easier if she broke down and bought a dishwasher but living alone there were hardly the need. The truth was that she didn't want to ruin the pretty cabinets that were so adorably placed in her tiny kitchen.

Sophie put the teapot on and went into the bathroom to wash her face with warm water. She would have to remember to shut lights off from now on she thought. The water felt like a spa taking the cold sting out of her cheeks. Did she leave the light on? Well, it wouldn't be the first time she questioned her behavior. Sophie put the face cloth on the towel rack and headed for a hot cup of tea. She had a very unusual feeling again as if someone had been watching her. Feeling paranoid Sophie put on her favorite bathrobe, shut the blinds and secured the lock on the door. She kept the porch light on and assured herself that she was fine. The fresh tracks on the walkway were hers, she was being so silly. Yes, life alone was nice. Maybe tomorrow she would go to the local pound and get a dog to keep her company. It certainly seemed everyone else in the neighborhood had one. The barking in the distance continued making Sophie anxious.

Sophie poured her tea and continued to pace about the house feeling like someone or something was watching her. She booted up her laptop and dove into her work. Unable to shake the feeling, Sophie decided to start laundry. She loved the laundry shoot that was built in so she didn't have to carry a basket, she headed down the stairs to feel a brisk cold draft. Sophie realized that the window in the basement had been opened. Suddenly frozen with fear she look around the room, sure that someone had gotten into her home. The marks indicated that someone skillfully jammed the window open. Snow was blowing into the laundry room, she reached to close the window and saw the footprints.

Sam hung up the phone with his brother and pushed the speaker to his secretary. "Maureen, get me the next flight to Vermont and make sure it is first class."

"Yes sir. Would you like me to book the return at the same time and do want a rental car?" Maureen quickly replied with her usual efficiency as not to miss a detail.

"Leave the return open and get a car to pick me up." Sam returned as he tried to change gears.

Sam Wood was a powerful man. Senior partner in an international law firm brought both pressure and prestige. At 40 Sam was one of New York's most eligible bachelors with money, looks and power. Tall, dark and dangerously handsome, Sam was unaware of his affect on women since he had neither the time nor the inclination to have a relationship. Sam was married to his work and would never find the kind of woman that his mother was. Not a mama's boy, my God that would be something if that ever got out, but he doted on her. As the oldest son Sam had always felt responsible to take care of the logistics of the family and now, his mother.

"Maureen, get my mother on the phone." Ordering her without a thought to how he sounded. Sam was a kind heart-ed man personally, professionally he was heartless.

"Yes sir." Respectfully, his secretary responded while on the line taking care of his flight. "One minute sir, I am on the line with the airport. It appears that all the flights to Vermont were canceled due to heavy snow up there. The next flight may not be till morning."

"Maureen, call the pilot and get the plane ready, I will fly there myself if I have to!" Snow he muttered to himself, typical of those lightweights to close the airport because of snow. He was used to flying in snow storms. He had gotten his pilots license while testing in a snow storm. Storms to New Englander's were not like storms to New Yorkers. If the pilot was available and Sam could get some work done. He had total confidence in James who was often a backup when Sam didn't want to fly the plane alone.