Once A Homecoming Queen

A rebellious, resistant and inherently funny seventy-five-year-old alcoholic falls down the stairs in her home twice in the last two years. She is rescued by her daughter who intervenes by sending her to detox and rehab. Francine discovers that recovery will take her in an unexpected direction that offers her a chance at redemption.

Set in Grand Rapids, near Lake Michigan. Francine Freeman's journey begins at eighteen when she was crowned the high school homecoming queen. It was the highlight of her life- a night of liberation that failed to being her life-long happiness. The last two years have been particularly less glamorous than the memory of wearing a crown. In between taking in strays-animals and humans-Francine's drinking is out of control. Fortunately, for this hell-on-wheels senior, her daughter realizes that enabling her mother's drinking needs a course correction. She intervenes and puts her into detox and rehab. Not only does Francine needs medical help, but her relationship with her daughter needs clarifying and mending. Francine raises hell in the hospital and thwarts the medical staff. Forced to leave the hospital for rehab, Francine and her daughter begin to create distance from each other. The compassionate and relatable psychologist/addiction specialist, Dr. Jerry, sets the rules for his group. He is a Vietnam vet who searches for conscious clarity in each addict. Her main rehab cohorts include Don, who "went out" after 40 years sober. He takes more than a shine to Francine. Don teaches her how to trust her instincts, get distance from her blame and anger when it comes to her unsupported parents. Their relationship is special but two drunks can never be together. Rhonda, an African American straight shooter has relapsed after getting out of prison. She doesn't get on with Francine until she warms to her honesty. As other addicts in the group either get involved or leave rehab, the dynamic goes deeper into character revelations.

Francine moves on into a volunteer position in a minimum women's prison with Rhonda. She meets the resident pharmacist, Doc Gallardo, and forms a friendship that is vibrant and honest. It's a Harold and Maude situation where they respect and support each other. Doc discovers that Francine is dying. He takes her on a journey to the rodeo Calgary Stampede where Doc goes back to his roots. When Francine discovers that Doc was once a rodeo man, she tells him that he has to find that spirit again. Doc tells Francine's daughter, Rachel, that his real journey is to guide Francine to her final peace, expose her to nature with joy, and to allow her to die on her own terms. He will make sure that her daughter, Rachel, will be with her mother at the end.