Chapter 64: The Goodbye
The day Lily left for school came faster than Maya was ready for.
She'd known it was coming. She'd helped Lily pack, bought her supplies, talked through the schedule. She'd been preparing for this moment for weeks. But now that it was here, she felt like she'd been sucker-punched. The morning light was pale and cold, and the air had that sharp edge of fall that made everything feel like an ending. Maya stood on the porch, watching Knox load Lily's bags into the truck. Her hands were wrapped around a mug of coffee she hadn't touched. The steam rose in thin curls and disappeared into the morning air. She watched Lily come down the stairs, her backpack slung over one shoulder, her face pale but determined. She looked like she was trying to be brave. Maya recognized t
