It was just a rock, not especially comfortable to sit on, but it offered a spectacular view of the lake, and Ellie had claimed it as hers. At mid-day, if the wind wasn't nipping at her, the sun almost felt warm. The mountain was a majestic beast, scaring a million ripples away over the water… or it was a benevolent king, ever-watchful over its frolicking subjects.
She would pretend that the mere act of sitting there, witness to such beauty, cleansed her… restored whatever it was inside that she'd lost. Then she'd return to Joel and pretend she was strong.