The progression appears to have stopped.
***
Six months later, we returned to the Grand Canyon.
Ethan wasn’t with us. He and Hailey were rebuilding slowly, one phone call and awkward visit at a time.
He and I weren’t getting back together. Understanding the damage didn’t erase it.
But that morning, Hailey stood beside me without needing to sit down.
The sky turned pink, then gold.
We returned to the Grand Canyon.
She nudged me. “Mom?”
“Yeah?”
“Last time we were here, a ranger ruined the sunrise.”
I laughed. “He improved it eventually.”
“Think anyone’s coming this time?”
Understanding the damage didn’t erase it.
My first instinct was to look behind us.
I didn’t.
“No. Not this time.”
The words came easily.
No stutter. No fighting to get them out.
Hailey smiled at the canyon. “Good.”
For once, I didn’t need to know what came next.
