Spells for Forgetting

by Adrienne Young

After so many years of staying away, of never speaking of the place, she’d parted this world with only one wish—that her ashes be buried on Saoirse Island.

When August left, he hadn’t just left Saoirse. He’d left me. And I’d been dragging his sins behind me ever since.

“I know you love me, Daddy”—I swallowed—“but I don’t trust you anymore. And I don’t know how long I can keep your secrets.”

I loved her long before that. I don’t really remember a time that I didn’t love her. But that summer was different.

But there are no spells for forgetting,”

The whole of the sea wouldn’t be able to wash out the stain of what I’d done.