justing to Life Wi

orward as if nothing had changed, but for them, everything had. The house that once echoed with their mother's laughter a

distant relatives they had barely known. The house was filled with murmurs of condolence, the

e strong. She answered questions about the funeral, made arrangements for legal matters, and reassu

, pretending to read but barely flipping a page. She had always been close to their father, sharing an

r mother's shawl like a lifeline. She had been their parents' baby, always doted on, always protec

the funeral, when the house finally emptied

nce That

en she did, her dreams were filled with memories-her father teaching her how to d

her mother making breakfast like she alway

it her again. The

, she forced herself

rway, as if expecting to hear their mother's voice telling

" she muttered, walk

was the first time in days Ceci

at the table, staring at her plate, p

eat," Mabel

er head. "I'm

ly ate ye

d her jaw. "I

push. They were all dealing

et, the silence between

lities and

stacks of bills and documents she barely understood. Their fat

her look up. Cecilia st

n here all day

out," Mabel replied,

cross from her. "You don

to take care of everything. But the trut

admitted. "I

papers. "Then let's f

mal life. She had to resume her NYSC soon, but t

she told Cec

gently. "Mom and Dad would

mething happens

Nothing's going to ha

elieve that, but

st Majo

ive, and soon, small thing

find Phebe watching TV while d

sh the dishes?" Ma

look up. "I

d that y

S

d. "So, I'm tired! I ca

standing up. "You act like you'

slammed her hand on the table. "

her forehead. "Can y

lled with tears

lted into exhaus

t's stop fighting. We on

ed. The fight made them realize t

Forward

e pain didn't disappear, but

cilia went back to work, and Phebe eventually r

y sat outside, w

y're watching ove

faintly. "I lik

o matter what happens, we'

time in months,

their love remained. And th