........
Later that afternoon, Emery made her way to the hospital with Ethan. The drive felt endless, the silence in the car pressing in, though Ethan filled it with questions and laughter. When they arrived, her mother was sitting up in bed, looking healthier than Emery had seen in months.
“Mama!” Ethan ran to her, hugging her tightly.
Her mother’s eyes lit up. “My boy,”
she whispered, kissing his hair. Then she looked up at Emery, her expression softening.
“You look tired, my daughter.”
Emery forced a smile. “I’m fine, Mama. You look much better today.”
Her mother studied her quietly, as though seeing beyond the smile. But she didn’t press. Instead, she reached for Emery’s hand and held it. “You’ve carried so much on your shoulders. Too much for one so young.”
Those words almos
