ouse, floating from the kitchen and winding its way th
ountertops and spilling over ocean-themed art along the hallway. The waves outs
mug of mint tea while the other rested protectively on the curve of her belly. She was eight mon
in. For once, she didn't need to run. Didn't need to prove.
and Dylan's humming filtered t
akes," she called out, "or prepar
oice echoed from the kitc
two plates stacked with golden brown pancakes, a generous h
said, kissing her forehea
" she repl
strong. And carrying my daughter who, judg
brow. "You say that
teased, setting his p
h that lived low and real, with no
s stretch of ocean. The horizon blurred into the sky. Seagulls
- just fina
y from the noise. Away from gossip. Awa
sn't an
- to live. Fully.
ng thoughtfully, "when
pancake, eyes twinkling.
did?" Dyla
told you l
d me while I was hal
t's when you
ser. "Okay, g
out a folded piece of paper. Inside was a na
slowly. "What
Resolve. B
he sting in his eyes. "She'
y has," Ama
ternoon, a co
to Amara at the door. Curious, she carried it
ue. Elegant. Solid. Engra
ara M
n silence - and roarin
men's Honor
at it for a
ng the words over her shoulder.
fth award
"I stopped cou
u never stop s
ssion soft but unyielding. "Yo
ollowed wasn't hea
water, Amara lay beside Dylan on their bedroom couch. The curtains billowed gently in
n the hall, snuggled with his well-worn elephant plush. His tiny snores carri
turned
we'd make it here?
't answer
lly, where their daughter
head slowly a
didn't," sh
nod
did,"
ed. "Yes
es before - at the hospital, at Hyde Park, during therapy, i
ver her stomach. "Her
," Amara wh
armth, the waves outside marking time like