Preparation

Frequently, the ones who loved her campaigned to get her moved ... somewhere else, somewhere better. Francis tolerated all of their best intentions with laughter and reassurances (that she was exactly where she needed to be, although things in the neighborhood were rough and getting rougher). Occasionally, she'd have a break-in and, while that was never fun, Francis dealt with it the same way she always did - plate of cookies on the counter for the next miscreant or two. "P and P," she'd say. "That's the only way through it." They marveled at her, telling many about her "preparation and prayer" approach; Francis always chose to deflect instead of correct (there was no need to be rude). "It'll stay our little secret that it's 'poison and prayer', right?" she asked her ancient cat of an evening in front of the television. "Fast acting, but you have a minute or two to ask for forgiveness."