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Prologue

Hart

There are days engraved into everyone’s minds where life takes a turn you know you’ll never fully recover from This is one of mine They say it’s natural for a child to bury their parents because it’s the correct order of things Maybe that’s true, but it doesn’tmy mother deteriorate before my eyes was more than I could bear So, I’d set off tooften, but never for too long It was cowardly Cancer slowly stole away her energy and the one passion she lived for outside of her fa steady brush strokes, she withered An artist, Mohaway that ability silenced her soul Dad tried to be there for us asto coest, fending for herself

I ski down Fiona’s back as I rest ainst her headboard Today we laid our mother to rest Yet, peace continues to elude us My vivacious firecracker has been deadened Her eyes are dull and sad, and she’d turned inhere no one could reach her

I should’ve been around more for my baby sister Mom insisted I chase my dreams When I landed a position as a er, she forced o on tour Selfishly, I used her enthusiasm as justification for estible foreign matter Movement in the doorway attracts my attention My father stands there, dark eyes red-rihost still clad in the suit he wore to the graveyard He looks ruer than life laid so low cuts me at a soul-deep level

“She finally asleep?” Dad whispers

I nod “Yeah I think rest is the best thing for her”

He rubs his face “It’s probably e all need”

“You can go to sleep, Dad I’ve got her”

His shoulders shake, and I long to go to hi for you” His voice breaks

I frown, confused and wary We’re reading the ith the lawyer tomorrow

“Your ive it to you After” He reaches into the pocket of his suit and pulls out a white envelope Walking into the room, he hands me the letter and backs out like a criminal afraid to set off an alar I’ve ad, I’ll be in the study” Turning, he gives me his back

He’s aged beforedown the hall and out ofht draped over my lap, I take a deep breath and carefully open the white rectangle in rance My hands shake as I hold old in the corner greets in to read

My first-born little star,

You were the X chronificant accomplishments You’ve always marched to the beat of a different druiving, and vibrant I adhtly you shine Never let anyone dull that It’s harder to get back than you can comprehend

I know right now you’re second-guessing your decision to go on tour Don’t It was a privilege to see you living your dream It’s all your father and I have ever really wanted For you and Fiona to find your purpose and live to the fullest I’ll miss that and so many other moments with Fiona It breaks my heart You always think you have time until you don’t

Thank you for sharing your journey froh the tough days I vowed to do everything I could to get as much time as possible with our family I believe I did that to the best ofbut accept the inevitability of one’s situation

Fiona is beco wouidance I a you to be that person I never wanted to clip your wings, but your father will be lost, and I cannot let Fiona get s out They’ll both require your help no matter how much they protest or insist otherwise

Be there for theh her senior year Make up for the ruin of her sixteenth birthday, do all the things you knoould’ve Never forget how proud I a the world beauty and co over you, protecting, guiding, and loving

Your Mother

Tears splatter onto the page as the da silently, I begin to et back to town

Chapter One

Hart