Meet Franky

Franky is on the run

Father had prepared for this day. In the closet there is a loose floorboard. I use the palm of my hand to push the board a few millimeters to the side, and create enough space to get my thumbnail between them. I inch the board up just enough to get my fingers underneath, and I pull it up. Inside, there is a black duffle bag that father left for us. I unzip the bag and examine the contents. There are two flashlights, a rope, a knife, some dried fruit and nuts, and an envelope with three one dollar bills and a picture of Father, Joseph and myself. There is a small scrap of paper with one word on it: run. I replace the board, throw the bag over my shoulder, look at Joseph and say, “Time to go.” 

His big eyes immediately answer my question, “Okay.”