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The way I’d had to take over cooking at ho to her jobs filtered back through years of otten skinnier and the fullness of her cheeks had faded away How much more slowly she’d walked, and the way she’d clutched her side as she’d walked away from me

“This isn’t fair, none of it is, but I hope soive me and that you’ll have the life you deserve The life I never could have given you

I love you with all my heart,

Mommy

“That’s the whole thing” Jules wrapped her hands aroundme close

She untangled my ar my face in her hands with the letter still clenched between her fingers, she dropped a kiss on my forehead

“You’re loved Berk More than you could ever know Your uys love you Alexis loves you I love you” Tears bri your ave out and she wiped at her eyes with the back of her hand “That’ll be so that you always carry with you But you have a family that loves you and will always be there for you”

I nodded I could barely breathe, let alone ht now

Dropping to the ground, I pulled her into ht around her, I lifted the wrapped present off the headstone

My hand shook and Jules cupped it, holding the present with her fingers wrapped around mine

This was the last present Moet anything froht creases of the paper, noorn away over the years, had been made by her

“There’s no rush You don’t have to do this today” Jules turned in ainst the side of my face

“I want to do it now Will you help ether and nodded

We worked slowly, deliberately, peeling away the worn tape, careful of each crease and edge

Inside, the green knitted bundle was tucked neatly in a roll My fingers rubbed against the cardboard sides as I reached inside Unfurling it with care, I squeezed my eyes shut Green and white with the number 11 on the front It was so small Had I ever really been that little? It was hard to picture