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Elizabeth Caroline Vaughn I set the present on top of the low-profile cut granite

And the date of her death June twenty-seventh

And the year

I sucked in a shuddering breath It was five ht months after my birthday, when she’d dropped me off on my dad’s doorstep

I fell tointofor her for over a decade and she’d been here all along Waiting patiently for me to find her

Soft, s the back ofmy head I buried my face in her sto onto her as tightly as I could I knew I needed to loosen it up, but she didn’t complain

We were frozen like that for so long the s went nu The slow and steady drag of her fingers throughand er completely alone

Jules was here, and that made even the worst moment of my life bearable

“I didn’t read the note” Each word felt dragged from my throat, raw and creaky

“Do you wantcaress on a blustery day

I nodded, keeping ainst her

The paper fluttered in her hand and she took a long breath

“My beautiful boy,

I love you with all my heart and I’m so sorry I had to leave you You deserve so ive you, and now that I know I’er take care of you You’re the only person I have left in the world, and I don’t want to let you go, but I hope your father will be able to take care of you now that I can’t”

Jules’ voice cracked and I held on tighter to her The cold, scratchy wool of her coat and the steady rise of her stomach with each breath reminded me that I was still alive I was still here—with her