Those Who Save Us

by Jenna Blum

Nothing is ever quite right, is it, after a parent dies? No matter how well things go, something always feels slightly off . . .

So you see, he says softly, we are all ashamed in one way or another. Who among us is not stained by the past?

Anna has taken the burden of silence upon herself. It is her decision not to speak of the things she has done, valiant or otherwise. It is in fact her prerogative as a hero. And in another way, whether she is a hero or not is immaterial. Each person has this choice to make about how to live with the past, this dignity, this inviolable right.