213 A Quieter Future

(Winona)

I sit across from Jayden in the penthouse living room, the city lights flickering outside the floor-to-ceiling windows. The day has been long and exhausting, the week has, but somehow, sitting here with him, a sense of calm settles over me.

We’ve finished cleaning up from dinner with Cass, and Anne is sleeping in Abby’s room. Abby had trouble settling off to sleep after the news we gave her over dinner.

I was so relieved when she finally closed her red-rimmed eyes after countless memories we shared about Mom since she’d come to live with us. I’m grateful we’ve had that time to have memories of her.

It’s heart-wrenching to see Abby’s little mind try and cope with the awful news. It’s late now and Jayden and I are chatting over a glass of port. The drink is warming, almost comforting with everything going on in our lives.

Jayden leans back on the sofa, his eyes searching mine. “I’ve been thinking a lot about the future.”

I nod, leaning in a little closer. “It’s hard to think to