upporting Each Ot

magined a life without their mother's gentle warmth or their father's reassuring presence. Yet, here they were,

wn way. Mabel buried herself in responsibilities, Cecilia became distant, and Phebe withdrew into herself completely. But

l's

e took charge of handling their parents' estate, paying bills, and making

study where Mabel had been sitting fo

eaten today?" Cecilia

les. "I don't have ti

ou need to take car

he luxury of breaking down like you do, C

hing across her face. "You

"I didn't mean it like that. I just... I don't kno

hand on hers. "It won't fall apart

f lean against Cecilia's shoulder. "

ezed her han

ent of connection they ha

a's St

ter their parents' death, she found it hard to be herself. The house was too quiet, her

r sitting in their father's s

ere for a while,"

red, "I used to talk to Dad about every book I r

wouldn't want that. He lov

. "What's the point, though? H

"I know it's not the same, but I'

er, surprised. Mabel had n

y listen?" C

dded. "I

ly. It wasn't much,

s Sile

sure how to help her. She barely spoke, barely ate, and bar

Cecilia heard muffl

softly. "Phebe?

espo

as curled up on the bed, hugging their mot

de of the bed, while

," Mabel whispered

don't know how to

it out alone," Cecilia s

lost myself,"

f her head. "You haven

weeks, Phebe let them

eps Towa

ht, things be

ies. Cecilia started reading again, sharing stories with her sisters a

an old family photo album and

showing a picture of them at

ks. "That was the day Dad tried to bui

nd Mom kept teasi

reminiscing, laughing and

e, the house didn

On to Ea

together. They cooked together, watched movies thei

ing the stars, Phebe asked, "Do you th

. "I think t

they'd want us to keep living

on Cecilia's shoulder.

hey did.