Chapter 19
Diane died in prison when Lily was sixteen.
Nora called me.
I sat down before telling anyone.
Not because I grieved.
Because endings still have weight.
Claire came over with Mara.
Rachel came too.
We told the girls together.
Mara said, “I feel like a door closed.”
Lily said, “I feel like I can breathe bigger.”
Claire nodded.
“Me too.”
We did not celebrate Diane’s death.
We celebrated our life.
Dinner.
Music.
Mara painted flowers.
Lily baked cupcakes and used too much frosting.
Daniel washed dishes.
Later, Lily asked if Ryan would come back someday.
“He has no legal right to contact you.”
“What if I want answers?”
“Then when you are an adult, you can decide. I will support you.”
She looked relieved.
“You won’t be mad?”
“No.”
“Even if I ask hard things?”
“Especially then.”
She hugged me.
That was the opposite of Diane’s love.
No ownership.
No fear.
May you like
No silence.
Only room.
