Smell the Roses

Christine, 13, has lost both her parents. Her mother when she was 4, and her father dies in a car accident rushing to her dance recital when she was just 11. Now, an orphan, she becomes depressed and could no longer stay in their old house. She leaves and walks down a long dirt road. Christine decides to walk to a town called Old Reef. There, her old dance school, Natalie's Dance Shop, brings back memories. She goes into a diner, and meets a waitress, Helen, who is willing to help her.She asks her the most hardest question that she fears people will ask her. Christine realizes that she could no longer lie and has to tell the truth. For two years Chirstine has been on her own. She is depressed not being able to make decisons, and not thinking clearly. How long is Christine going to be on this road? Is she ever going to continue to dance? When is she going to listen to her mother and "Wake up and smell the roses?"