Jade Fern Grove All the small things

It wasn't a lot, but it was something.  Maia nodded, glad that Cori was in charge.  She didn't trust herself to speak for a minute, and even less when Sarah started talking about them.  

She had known mom was sick, but she'd always been that way, and it didn't change the fact that she'd never considered they wouldn't always be there.  And dad - he was older, but he was solid, a rock in her life all growing up.  They both were.  

They were already dead, side by side. She shut her eyes, but it was too late, the image was there.  She felt the tears pricking at them.  They'd gone together, but it didn't matter.  It just meant they were gone.

No. It came out louder and more angry than she meant it to, and as she opened her eyes again, angry tears were falling.  It's not your fault.  Don't act like it's your fault.  Then, remembering it was Sarah she was now kinda yelling at, she deflated.  Dad never would have left her.  Her voice was defeated.  There was no way he would have left any of them, but mom - imagining dad without mom was kinda impossible for her.  Just like imagining them gone now.

I'm glad we know.  She said finally, taking a step towards Sarah, tentatively.  And I'm glad you're staying.  With Terance.  At least for a while.  He'd seemed so okay when he told her, but Maia got the feeling he was lying.  How could he not be lying?