Chapter 10 - Loud Breathing
On the anniversary of the day, Anna and Lily went back to the living room.
Not for a ceremony.
Not for drama.
For spring cleaning.
Lily was eight by then, taller, louder, and very opinionated about curtains.
They moved the coffee table.
Sorted old toys.
Washed windows.
Found the yellow dinosaur’s missing plastic volcano under the sofa.
Lily held it up triumphantly.
“Evidence!”
Anna laughed.
“Of what?”
“Bad cleaning.”
“Guilty.”
Lily looked at the sofa for a long moment.
The same cream sofa.
Different pillows now.
Different life.
“Is this where I couldn’t breathe?”
Anna went still.
“Yes.”
Lily nodded.
“Is it okay that I don’t remember all of it?”
“Yes.”
“Do you?”
Anna considered lying.
Then didn’t.
“Yes.”
Lily slipped her hand into Anna’s.
“But we’re here now.”
Anna squeezed her hand.
“Yes.”
Lily took a huge breath on purpose.
Then another.
Then grinned.
“See? Loud breathing.”
Anna pulled her into her arms.
The windows were open.
Fresh air moved through the room.
No one told Lily to be quiet.
May you like
No one told Anna to stay out of it.
The house listened to the sound of a child breathing freely and held it like music.
