The Art of Starting Over

hospital room, a life I felt was utt

a Hayes, sat beside me, her s

shattered everything: "Tell D

olleague from

resentment, of being

dying body-a usele

dark

ts. My young mothe

the memories of my eighty-year life

ant voice unwavering, "I

een, the name Olivia

ed engagement, a relic I h

t was a pris

laughing the unguarded laugh I rarely saw in our

miliar stoic calm in place

ck, a delibe

g me?" she asked

should keep our distance, Oli

past life, a suf

e different. This

ld be