Every Precious and Fragile Thing

by Barbara Davis

We can only bury our pain so long before it finds its way out. And in my experience, the longer we wait, the messier it gets.”

“For most of us, there’s someone—one person—whose soul we know as well as our own. The one we’re meant for. The one who’s meant for us. We know it the minute we meet them. We feel it. A recognition we sense in our bones. And it never goes away . . .”

“A burden shared is a burden halved.

Beauty—and the vanity that sometimes comes with it—is often confused with dignity. But that kind of beauty is never more than skin deep, while dignity is rooted in our humanity, in our very soul, a birthright we either cling to or surrender.

“If I could give you one piece of advice, Mallory, one thing to remember always, it’s to never allow silence to come between you and someone you love.”

found a journal,” I say evenly. “My journal. I don’t know how much you read—” “Did you ever love him?” she says, cutting me off. “Or me?” “Please, Mallory, let me explain.” “You don’t need to. I get it. You wanted someone else. Someone you couldn’t have. At least I finally know why you never talk about my father. It also explains why you were never

Because when life gave you a second chance at that kind of love—the kind that filled all the empty places in your soul—you took it.