The Night of Many Endings

by Melissa Payne

The library had been like finding cool water in the midst of a desert, a refuge, and the books inside, her escape.

sometimes the best way to open someone’s mind was by listening, not arguing.

They’d all let something control their lives. And for Nora it had been her fear that if she didn’t hold on tight enough, fight hard enough, sacrifice enough, she’d lose Mario. Yet none of it had mattered. Mario’s battles were his own.

“Your purpose isn’t to save the world, Nora, or to save Lewis or me, or Mario for that matter. It never was.” “Then what is it?” She could barely get the words out because her throat had closed over a lump. Marlene touched her face. “To be you.” “I’m not sure I know who that is,” Nora whispered. Marlene just smiled and laughed. “Nobody does. That’s why we have each other.”