Chapter 9 - The Empty Swing in the Backyard
February arrived with bitter winds that stripped the remaining dead leaves from the oak tree in their suburban backyard. David stood at the kitchen sink, watching the wooden swing Claire had built years ago sway gently in the breeze. Lily sat at the kitchen table, methodically separating her morning cheerios into small concentric rings.
"Is Mommy’s heart bigger than mine now?" Lily asked suddenly, her chin resting on her small hand.
May you like
David turned off the water, drying his hands on his jeans before kneeling beside her chair. "Why do you ask that, sweet pea?" he asked, brushing a stray wisp of hair behind her ear.
Lily looked out at the swaying swing, her hazel eyes reflecting the pale winter sky. "Because she has mine too. That means she has two hearts inside her. So she must be twice as strong as everybody else." David choked back a sudden surge of emotion, pressing his forehead against hers. He told her she was absolutely right—her mother was carrying enough love inside her chest to move mountains, and that was precisely why she was going to make it back.
