Frank, an angry old man, lived by himself. He was used to being alone and had long since come to terms with the fact that he would never have family or friends to share his life with. So he wasn’t too happy when Zoe, a persistent young girl, showed up at his door.
Even though he didn’t want to at first, Zoe’s determination finally got to him, and he found himself listening to her story. Zoe was Frank’s long-lost niece, and she had been looking for him for years.
Frank was shocked and upset when he heard this. He was shocked to learn that he had a child and didn’t know what to do with the news. They talked and got to know each other while waiting for the storm to pass in Frank’s basement.
Zoe was a very good young artist, and Frank was amazed by her work. It dawned on him as they talked that he had been given another chance to make up for his mistakes. He wasn’t a good wife or dad, but he could try to be a good grandfather.
Frank and Zoe sat in the basement and laughed and talked while the storm outside raged. It didn’t seem likely that they would be together, but they did. Frank realised he had been given a rare gift when the storm finally stopped: a chance to make things right and start over.
Frank told Zoe, “You can stay here with me,” as they came out of the basement. I understand that I’m not the most nice person to be around, but I want to make things right. Zoe smiled, and Frank felt hopeful and like he belonged for the first time in years.
Frank couldn’t help but notice how Zoe had already changed his life as they walked back into the house. More people felt welcome in the house, and Frank had a reason to keep going for the first time in years.
Zoe seemed to have brought more than herself to Frank’s door. She gave them a sense of purpose, of becoming whole again, and of salvation. Frank realised he had been given a rare gift as they ate a simple meal together: a second chance to make things right and start over.
