At 2 A.M., a Hidden

her, close enough to be there, far enough not to trap her.

“She’s still in my head,” Ava cried. “I hear her when I’m feeding him. I hear her when he cries. I hear her saying I’m weak.”

I wanted to say she was strong.

But sometimes people in pain do not need slogans.

So I said, “What does your voice say?”

Ava looked at me through tears.

“I don’t know.”

“We’ll continue reading …