I didn’t know my father, and my mom refused to talk about him. For as long as I can remember, it was just her, me, and our small cottage.
When I was done swimming, I headed back home. I think I’d been gone for, like, only an hour.
I remember nearing our cottage and just knowing that something wasn’t right. Something didn’t feel right. I rushed inside our home to find my mom on the floor with her chest ripped open. Her heart next to her body.
I fell down on my knees, my legs no longer able to keep me upright. I was shaken and broken as a scream tore from my lips. I remember crawling to her and pulling her body into my arms, as I wailed for her to come back. Willing everything to be just a nightmare.
The pain that consumed me was like nothing I’ve ever felt. I felt like my heart had been
