Free Break Your Heart by Renee Matteo

the sink, elbows deep in a heap of bubbles. Gina returned to the table with a hot soapy rag, wiping it clean before drying it down with a fresh towel. She retrieved the bowl of fresh fruit off the credenza under the large bay window and centered it back on the table.
                  “Dinner was great Momma.” Grant said as he walked through the kitchen, kissing the top of her head as he passed her.  “Thank you.”             
                  “You’re welcome,” she said, turning to Gina, “Thank you for your help honey. I’ve got the rest.”
                  “It’s no trouble, really.” Gina replied as she walked over
    to the counter with the towel from the table and picked up a freshly washed dish to dry.
                  “I know, honey. There is only a little left. I’ll finish.”
    She said as she took the towel and plate from Gina .
                  “Thank you for dinner.”
                  “You’re welcome.”
                  Gina turned from the kitchen and walked into the family room, taking a seat on the couch next to Ashley.
                  “This is one of my favorites,” Gina told her.
                  “Me too,” Ashley replied as she kept her eyes closely fixed on the mermaid and her prince. The two cuddled up quietly on the couch getting lost in the music of the movie.
                  “Who is your favorite character?” Ashley asked.
                  “Hmm…I would have to go with Sebastian.”
                  “I like the Prince.”
                  “Good call,” Gina laughed.                           
                  The pair sat snuggled into one another peering into the technicolor magic of the large plasma screen in front of them.
                  “My two favorite girls,” Grant said, breaking the
    silence as he came darting down the stairs and into the family room.
                  “Ready?” He asked, holding her coat and hat along with a backpack.
                  “Where are we going?”
                  “For a walk.”
                  “Grant,” Ashley mumbled from the couch. He walked over to his little sister, planting a kiss on her cheek.
                  “It’s too close to bed time for you to join us. Tomorrow we will do something just you and I. I promise.”
                  She nodded with contention and turned her head back to the movie.
                  Gina and Grant walked to the mudroom where she grabbed her scarf wrapping it tightly around her neck before bundling up under her coat and hat. Taking Grant’s hand, she followed him out the door where the cold air smacked into their bodies bringing a bitter sting to their faces.
                  “We’re going out for a bit.” Grant shouted into the house before closing the door behind them.
    “It’s a tad cold for a stroll down the road, no?”
                  Grant simply squeezed her hand in his and smiled to her as he continued on. They silently walked down the drive and onto the quiet street listening to the snow crunching under their feet. Gina could see her breath and feel it in her lungs as she took it in and out.
                  They walked until they could no longer see the house, and then proceeded around the bend and into the woods through the ankle deep snow.
                  “The bluff?”
                  “Yeahh, remember how beautiful it is at night?” He
    asked referring to the summer nights they spent lying in the grass by the bluff. 
                  “I do.  But it’s a bit cold out tonight.”
                  “I know.” He smiled, leading them deeper through the woods.  The gorge quickly