I do not know if I believe that in any literal way.

But I know that Maya carries her mother’s smile into the world every single day, unaware that she is doing it, and that because of her, Evelyn is not entirely gone.

Some part of my sister is here, on this deck, building towers in the autumn light.

I choose to find comfort in that, and most days, I do.

Chapter 25 — Yellow Roses

A quiet car pulls up to the curb, and the side gate clicks open, and Maya abandons her tower instantly.