False Step

by Victoria Helen Stone

And when she was alone, she’d be truly, blessedly alone. It would be so much less lonely than living with someone who’d ruined the love you’d once had.

Children were naturally selfish. Their selfishness protected them from noticing the rough currents of life that pulled in all directions. But they noticed the rapids. They knew when they were being sucked under.

The world didn’t stop turning, no matter what happened. Even during the darkest tragedies life went on, unaware and cruel, completely unconcerned with whether you could manage to catch up.