Broken But Still Breathing

sound of her own name

ss the living room last night. The way her friends whispered it in the school hallways when her belly started to

anymore. It was still painted a soft lavender from when she was twelve, back when her biggest problem was picking a dress for the w

efore she even realized it. She moved on instinct now, sleep-deprived and

Her voice trembled more than she w

er chest. Ava exhaled slowly, fighting back the bur

night's fight still hung in the air. The words w

our life. You

Ava wasn't sure which hurt more - the

Not a call. Not a text. Nothing. He was sup

llie. Her daughter's name felt like t

mother was leaving for work. Ava heard the front door close witho

ould feel so full of peopl

ss nights, the aching loneliness, the cruel whispers, the future she was

Ava felt it - that pull inside her chest. It

oft forehead, her vo

ow, baby girl. We'

ith light. Ava wasn't sure what came next.

w. Not