What We Keep

by Jennifer Millikin

“A word of advice.” Aunt Francesca leans forward, resting her elbows on her spread apart knees. “Don’t lose yourself. Don’t let your life become about him.”

True loneliness isn’t being alone. It’s being with someone else and still finding yourself alone. A truth I wish I never learned.

I was made to love this woman.

“I won’t stop fighting, unless you ask me to. And I pray you don’t.” My throat thickens. “You are the hill I want to die on.”