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In the corner was an older wo her eyes out, completely alone, and I couldn’t help but feel drawn to her Her body was bruised, battered, as if she had just walked away froodly event Yet the pain in her stormy blue eyes hat haunted me the , but I did I held her, and she didn’t push ether

After sorandson and her daughter-in-laere both out of surgery, but in critical condition "You can see them You can sit in their rooms, but they won’t be responsive Just so you know But you can hold their hands"

"How do I…" her voice shook and tears fell "How do I choose who to see first? How do I…?"

"I’ll sit with one of them until you can," I offered "I’ll hold their hand"

She sent hter-in-law When I entered the rooh me The poor wohost I pulled up a chair beside her and took her hand into mine

"Hi," I whispered "This is weird and I’m not even sure what to say But, well, I’m Elizabeth I met your mother-in-law and she’s super worried about you So I need you to fight She said your husband is on his way back fro I know it has to be hard, but keep going" Tears fell froer who seeht about how broken I would’ve been if I didn’t get to at least hold Steven’s hand before he passed away "Your husband is going to need you to be strong" I leaned close to her ear and whispered, hoping my words would find her soul "We have to ets to hold you We have to o yet Keep Fighting"

I felt her fingers squeeze against mine, and my stare moved to our hands

"Ma’ato have to ask you to leave"

I nodded once

And I let go of her hand

"He keeps leaving these Post-It notes" I sighed, sitting on the seesaith Faye as Emma played on the monkey bars and went down the slide "Every now and then I find a Post-It on my , and I just don’t knohat to think about the es He says he still lovesI don’t knohat to think"

"He’s playing ames, and that’s not cool I just don’t understand why he would do so rude? Like, getting back at you for not telling him about the accident?"

"No" I shook my head "He wouldn’t do that"