The Standing She Did Not Know She Had

“Oh, Larisa,” she whispered.

Then she looked at me and asked the only question that mattered.

“What do you need?” Not where is he. Not are you sure. Not maybe there’s an explanation. Just: what do you need.

I almost came apart at that.

Brigid took over without being asked — spoke to the nurse, fixed my pillows, held the baby so I could sleep, put my phone on silent when Beau’s name lit the screen.

My sister has never in her life needed the whole story before she picks a side.