The Austen Affair

by Madeline Bell

It reminds me of the final year of my mother’s life—both of us trying to suck the marrow out of every last second we had left with each other but always knowing that imminent loss was just an arm’s reach away. Every holiday, the last. Every bite of ice cream made bittersweet. We’d watch the sunset together each night in the backyard, knowing there was no guarantee it would rise again in the morning.

Be glad when you have someone, and when they are gone, be glad you had them once.”