Hushed Willows Every day I've got a smile where my frown goes

It'd been so long since anyone had held her. The novelty of it nearly halted her tears, but when Reverie spoke again Mae was overcome with another surge of despair. She didn't know what it meant, exactly, but she knew where to place the blame when she heard the words. It was Swiftcurrent Creek which had driven her mother away. It was her father.

I hate him, Mae hissed with sudden fury, still crying. I hate him. He - he never wanted me. He never cared. Her voice broke into another sob and she found that she could not speak another word. She was abruptly tired — no, exhausted. Mae went slack in Reverie's arms. She wondered distantly if the woman would hold her while she slept.