The characters in the 18 stories that comprise Restless Dreams , a collection of short stories, share a certain resemblance: tired eyes, a slow trudging step, and the distracted air of someone with lots on her mind, some of it unspeakable. But despite sore feet and an aching heart, each yearns for better days, aims for what is right, and makes it all work somehow. She's a cop, a mom, a saleswoman, nanny, teacher, hairdresser, teen. None have it easy, but they don't give up their restless dreams of a more perfect life.