Chapter 2

Amira sits on the green grass.

So close to Mom's tombstone.

I kneel beside her, placing the flowers gently on top of the stone.

I embrace my sister as I stare at the stone, wondering if our mom is watching over us up there. Wondering if she is proud of the women we have become after all these years.

I was twelve when my mother died. It's been nine years since the ordeal struck but her death still feels like it happened yesterday. The wounds are still so fresh. The grief still so raw and naked. And every time during her anniversary, it is  an ugly reminder that she is gone forever and we will never see her again. And nothing breaks my heart more.

I wish she was here. With us. But because I know that's impossible, I often find myself wishing that I could just forget and move on...

Lonah, Mom's best friend, took us in and treated us like her childr