Kimberly forced

hick with the scent of stale sadness, unwashed sheets, untouched meals, and the faint

mirror in the bathroom,

ck at her was not th

ike a candle. Her skin, usually warm and radiant, was pale, washed out by the lack of sleep a

it come

es, giggling with Samantha about floral arrangements

d barely reco

f grief crashing over her. But this time

wash over her like a baptism. Maybe, just maybe, it would cleanse t

n a towel, she felt marginally better.

as som

uzzed on th

mped. Some stupid part of

t up, her stomach twi

n unknow

ld her to check. When she opened the me

ow I hurt you. I know I don't deserve fo

ers tightened a

pounded in

rds, barely breathe through the

s of no explanation, no cl

jaw, emotions w

whatever pathetic excuse he had and what

bled as she ty

thing to t

over the s

of impulsive fur

o

deserve

tossed the phone onto t

t let him do

t, Not

ad forced Kimberly

"Fresh air. Sunshine. Anything but

herself at their favorite coffee shop, the scent o

clinking of cups, the hum o

asn't

nd people who didn't know t

ng her latte. "We're here to distract you, not send you into anoth

"Sorry. I just..

t do

ed. "Like, everything is

ng is the same, Kim. The world doesn't stop just b

in this... fog. Like I'm walking through

ief, babe. It's normal for you to feel

rm

mal. She felt like

f her coffee. It was warm. Familiar. A small

ps. You're out of the house, you're drinking

a slow breath.

e if she actua

antha's sak