Authors note: Thanks so much for your reviews! It is very encouraging to know that this story is being read. I've revised the accent although, I must admit that I can't bring myself to eliminate it altogether because for me it was part of the charm of the movie.

Chapter 2

Lizzie absently poured herself some coffee with a small smile on her face. She was a little bemused still from her dream. Hearing her son speaking just as any other boy made her both joyful and then a little sad at the same time. Then to think about the stranger again...well, she just wasn't ready to admit that she missed him.

"Lizzie!" her mom called to her jarring her from her thoughts.

"What?" Lizzie replied.

"Wha's with you, Lizzie? Good God, you've got yer head in the clouds!" Lizzie gave her a blank stare. "I've called yer name 3 times and you just stand there with that smile on yer face."

Lizzie started to feel her cheeks redden. "Tis nothing, Ma." She turned away to fetch another cup. "I just had 'nother dream where Frankie was speaking again." She purposely left out the part about the stranger. Lizzie took a quick look around for Frankie. "This time, Ma, he spoke like any other boy."

"I see. Well I've told ya before, Lizzie, ta encourage the boy ta speak. 'Specially now that there are no more letters to…"

"Good morning, Frankie," Lizzie interrupted her mother. Frankie had no trouble reading lips.

Frankie signed 'good morning' back to both women. The nine-year-old took his seat at the table and watched the tense body language between his mother and nana. They were always in disagreement about something. He couldn't help notice that the conversation ceased as soon as he walked in. Frankie stood from the chair to fetch a bowl and cereal and tried not to feel that he was left out of their communications for the hundredth time. He grabbed a spoon and sat at the table again. While he ate he began to wish again that it could be easy to speak and be heard. If only he could convey every feeling and thought as others did.

"Did ya study for yer spelling test today, Frankie?" Lizzie signed and spoke.

"Aye," Frankie simply signed.

Lizzie glanced up at the clock. "Goodness will ya look at the time? Marie's expecting me at the chip shop." Lizzie gave Frankie a quick peck on the cheek.

"By the way, Lizzie, the phone should be hooked up by end of today," Nell quickly informed her.

"Us having a phone, imagine that. Well, I've gotta go. Have a good day in school, Frankie. I know you'll do well on yer test. See ya when school's out."

Frankie smiled at his mother, gave her a nod, and watched her leave the room.

Marie watched Lizzie wipe the same table endlessly.

"Lizzie, wha's with you?" Marie asked her curiously.

"Wha?" Lizzie snapped out of her thoughts.

"Sorry ta interrupt you, Lizzie, but wha's with you?"

"Nothing is with me, Marie. Geez. Wha is with everyone today?" Lizzie snapped.

"Well Lizzie, tis just that you've been wiping that there table fer ten minutes," Marie told her.

Lizzie looked down at the table, her eyes finally. With a look of embarrassment she turned her eyes sheepishly back to Marie.

"Sorry Marie, I guess my mind's somewhere else today." Lizzie desperately wanted to question Marie about her brother but didn't trust her feelings enough yet.

"Have ya ever had recurring dreams?"

"Not since I was a wee child, Lizzie."

Lizzie walked behind the counter and joined her in cleaning up. "Well, for the past week I've been having the same dream and I can't get it out of my mind."

"If you tell me about it, maybe you'll stop having it."

Lizzie silently rejected that idea quickly enough. Instead she grabbed a clean rag to wipe the countertop.

Marie looked questioningly at Lizzie with one eyebrow raised. "Lizzie?"

"Tis nothing, Marie." Lizzie stared off into space. "Nothing more than wishful thinking."

"I see." Marie felt deflated. She hoped that Lizzie would want to share more with her.

"So...Lizzie...have you thought of yer next move?"

Interesting choice of words, Lizzie thought. "Actually, Marie, I don't have any plans for moving. I like it here. Frankie likes it here." Marie nodded with a smile. "We've been moving...moving and running fer so long." Lizzie stopped. She felt tears well up in her eyes. "For so long, since Frankie was just a wee boy…" she trailed off as she felt a lump form in her throat. She willed herself to stop being so emotional.

Marie took Lizzie's hand and squeezed it. "Ya don't have ta run anymore."

Lizzie sobbed and Marie hugged her. Lizzie finally allowed herself to cry on Marie's shoulder. Her emotions had been pent up for so long. Those six words were certainly true although until Marie had voiced them did Lizzie actually feel like she was free.

She and Frankie were finally free.