A compelling story of love, loss, and transformation. Heart-breaking, yet full of joy. Marisa De Los Santos
writes powerfully and with wonderful wisdom.
Cornelia Brown's life began one October morning, at the age of thirty-one, when her Cary Grant walked through
the door of Dora's Cafe. The man himself was the harbinger of the changes to come, yet not the change itself.
His name was Martin Grace and there is an intuitive rhythm, a sixth-sense between them.
Clare Hobbs is eleven years old and watching her mother turn into someone she doesn't know, someone who no
longer takes care of her. Fearing for her mother to the point of sleepless nights, Clare calls on her father
for help. He is a near-stranger to Clare, since divorcing her mother several years earlier. He is no help to
her. Clare feels alone, deserted and lost.
Martin Grace is Clare's father and is forced to take Clare in when she is abandoned, by the side of the road,
by her mother. Martin is clueless on being a father, and in desperation takes Clare to Dora's cafe seeking
Cornelia's help. Cornelia and Clare form a bond between them that grows stronger facing the loss of Martin.
Cornelia and Clare's lives begin a transformation process. For Cornelia, real life doesn't mean attaining her
heart's desire, but knowing what her heart's desire is. She discovers that knowing what you love and why is as
real as life gets.