Sometimes Holding On Was All You Could

Alice Started To Cry. It Came With No Sound, No Shuddering, No Childlike Hysterics, Just A Soul-deep Release That Turned Into Moisture And Dripped Down Her Puffy Pink Cheeks. She Touched Her Tears, Frowning. Then She Looked Up At Julia And Whimpered Two Words Before She Fell Asleep. ‘real Hurts.’

If She Wasn't Careful, She'd Slide Without A Ripple Into The Gently Flowing Stream Of Her Old Life, Pulled Back Under The Current Without A Wimper Of Protest. Another Housewife Lost In The Flow.

She Used To Tell Me That She Couldn't Feel The Sunlight Anymore, Not Even When She Was Standing In It, Not Even When It Was Hot On Her Cheeks

Thoughts - Even Fears - Were Airy Things, Formless Until You Made Them Solid With Your Voice And Once Given That Weight, They Could Crush You.

What Shall We Drink To?" "how About Family?" Stacy Said, Showing Up Just In Time To Pour A Fourth Shot. "to Those Who Are Here, Those Who Are Gone, And Those Who Are Lost." And She Clicked Glasses With Mom