I try to lift her up with me, but she’s heavy—dead weight. Literally. I choke at the thought as I push her off my lap and settle her onto the sand. I can’t take her with me. She will never get a proper burial. She will never get the goodbye she deserves. “I’m—I’m so sorry, A,” I whisper, kissing her forehead. “I’m so, so sorry.” I stand to my feet, wiping at the tears I tried to stop from falling. I start to turn away from her lifeless body, unable to bear the sight of it any longer. “I love you.”
