It was a fairly normal day. So far. She'd woken up, eaten breakfast, got dressed, grabbed coffee, which was an essential, and ran out the door to wait for the bus. Normal stopped there though. It all started when she was tripped. Flying through the air, she prayed she'd land on top of a cute guy. But when have you known dreams to come true? Actually, it could've been worse. She didn't land on anyone at all, except the hard floor of the unforgiving bus. Ouch. And that's exactly what she said. Only louder, and with more feeling. The first hand that was put out to help her up looked promising. A tingle went up her spine. "Please!" she begged. She looked up. Staring back at her was the cutest guy she'd ever seen. A smile started to cross her close to tears face. Then, suddenly, he reached over her, grabbed her sandwich and stood up walked back to his seat. "Really?" she practically screamed this. "Give it back!" "Uhuh, not gonna." He smiled shyly. Now she was going to cry. He'd gone and took her sandwich. That definitely crossed the line. Tears spurted. Suddenly he felt sorry for her. He got back up and came over. "Fine, take your damn sandwich." To which she replied cleverly,"Mph." And took back the sandwich.

Now, 11 years later, the woman was remembering how she met him. It had started with tears, now it was ending in tears. A week ago, he'd been killed in an accident. So cliché, but that's how it happens. At first she was in denial, as they all are, but slowly she believed. Just as she had when he first told her just how he felt. God, she missed him. Tears, again. This time they were heavy, full of emotion and care and need. Her only reminder is the little girl who runs to her mother and holds tight to her skirts. She is called Grace. Grace is scared, she's never seen her mama like this.

For 10 more years this is how it goes. Tears are many, smiles few. Grace is now 14. She takes care of her mother who is weak and dying. Why? Depression and hopelessness. She never recovered.

2 days later, Grace finds her mommy gone. Grace does not cry. She will be strong. She will be strong for her mama when she wasn't, strong for her father, and strong for the world. Because she has to.