Dear Ava

by Ilsa Madden-Mills

P.P.S. I’ve tried to fight it with everything I have, but I want you. Still.

Come on, little Ava. Come closer to me, fierce girl. One more step. Let me touch you. On the arm. Your hand. Anything. Please.

Sometimes the loneliest place on earth is in the midst of a crowd. But that’s okay. I’m here and that means something.

But you can’t take a beautiful, soft flower and crush it under your cleats, not when she’s halfway to broken already.