NOVEMBER 1994
12 year old Matthew Dunn raced along the streets and back alleys of Bremerton, the shouts of the Mc Gavin's Bakery's cook still ringing in his ears. If there was ever a stereotypical cook, that man was it. Spoon in hand he practically chased Matthew out of the shop and onto the street where the cops picked up the trail from there. Matthew hadn't even gotten a moral of food for his efforts. So here he was with a still empty stomach, dodging concession stands and pedestrians alike, trying to outrun both the cops on foot and in their vehicles any way he could. Glancing behind him he could see two of the cops on foot gaining while the car was navigating a crowded street. Unfortunately, this meant Matthew wasn't watching where he was going and he ran straight into a blond-haired woman carrying a bag full of groceries. She staggered but managed to keep her balance and grabbed him in a surprisingly strong grip for a woman of her size. She was about 5'8" and couldn't have weighed more than 120 pounds. He struggled against her.
"Hey, hey, now. Calm down young man." She ordered. "What's your name?" She asked.
"Matthew." He replied. He glanced back at the cops again and mouthed "help me".
She sighed. "Do not make me regret this." She hissed. "You get one freebe."
As the cops came racing up she said "Matt, there you are. I've been looking all over for you!"
Straightening up to face the cops she said "I'll handle this major."
"Miss Franklin, surely.." The cop began.
"Just leave it, Mike." She ordered.
"Yes ma'am." The cop replied and he and his partner left.
Then the woman turned to Matthew. "Alright, tell me what's going on here and I'll take you home." She ordered.
"No! You can't!" Matthew cried.
"I can and I will. Consider yourself lucky I didn't just turn you in." She growled.
"No I mean, I have no home." Matthew said.
"You're out here on your own?" She gasped in surprise. "A little boy like you."
"I'm not little. I'm 12 and I can take care of myself!" Matthew said, puffing out his chest proudly.
"Yes, I can see that." She chuckled, poking a finger at his expanded chest. "I was just on my way home to cook dinner. You look like you need a good meal."
"I was hungry enough to tackle MC's." He said.
She laughed this time. "My, my that is hungry. Not many would brave that cook." She said.
"He chased me out with a spatula." Matthew grumbled.
"He does that." She replied. "Name's Madeline, but you can just call me Maddie." She said.
"Nice to meet you Maddie." He replied.
She put an arm around his shoulders and gave him a nudge. "Come on, I'll get supper on the table. Get a good meal into you and you can tell me why you're wondering around here all on your own." She said.
The prospect of food made Matthew's empty stomach grumble. "It's a deal." He replied.
"Good." She grunted and led him away.