She’s asleep in my arms, her breath soft against my chest, the weight of her grief finally surrendered to rest. I don’t move. Not even a twitch. Because this—this moment—is sacred.
She let me hold her.
Not just physically. She let me see her broken edges, the raw ache behind her strength. And she trusted me enough to fall apart in my arms. That trust… it’s more than I deserve. But I’ll spend the rest of my life earning it.
The door creaks open, slow and careful. My mother steps in, her eyes landing on GreenLee with a quiet tenderness I didn’t expect. She nods once, then gestures for me to follow her out.
I ease myself from beneath GreenLee, tucking the blanket around her shoulders like armor. She doesn’t stir.
In the hallway, the light is dim. My mother leans against the wall, arms fo
