Northstar Vale Picture a place where it all doesn’t hurt.

Towhee didn’t hear Tamar’s soft words of reassurance but she didn’t need to; the woman’s closeness, alongside her brother’s, held up the grieving woman much more than physically. It would not be easy, living among all these memories of her child, but as time went on, Towhee might come to find comfort in visiting Leo’s final resting place.

For now, she wept openly, knowing neither Phox nor Tamar would judge her for it. She needed the catharsis. And when she wore herself out, she would slowly sink down at their feet, sprawling over her daughter’s grave. Eyes and ears sealed to the world, she would resort to smelling all the fragrant items her loved ones had thought to bring; feeling the tickle of grass and flowers; and sensing her daughter in a way she wouldn’t question any more than she could explain it.