226 Sunday Is Here

(Winona)

Sunday morning arrives with a heaviness that’s almost suffocating.

Jayden and I went through all the motions of a normal morning with Abby over breakfast. Then we both kissed her goodbye until later. Anne is planning a picnic lunch for them with Aunt Cass.

If only I could be there instead of here.

I’m standing just outside Ashlyn’s room, and the reality of what’s about to happen is sinking in. Today, Ashlyn’s life support will be turned off, and her chapter in our lives will come to an end.

Jayden is beside me, but there’s a distance between us that I haven’t felt in a long time. He’s quiet, his face set in a hard line, eyes fixed on the door in front of us. I reach out, touching his arm gently.

“Jayden, are you okay?” I ask.

He nods but doesn’t meet my eyes with his. “I’m fine, Winona. It’s just... I need to do this alone.”

The words catch me off guard. Alone? Does he really want to face this without me? The doubts from yesterday start creeping back in, whispering in my ear