Chapter 1
"The company of many does not erase the loss of one another." – Unknown
The little girl leaned onto Hanna's hip, she was probably tired from the over hour long funeral proceedings.
Hanna smoothed the little girl's, curly brown hair then patted her back, the last week had been tremendously difficult on her, and she couldn't imagine how a seven year old was handling it.
Caleb stood next to Hanna, wondering how even after what happened he still wanted nothing more than to just hold and protect the two girls beside him now more than ever.
When Hanna had promised Mona that she would take care of Nahani, in the case that Mona were to get hurt or pass on , she didn't think it would be less than a year later she would have to fulfill her promise.
Her beautiful strong best friend, was gone now, laying in a nice wooden box , six feet under being covered with dirt. Mona had survived vicious bullying, had a child at eighteen, and raised her daughter by herself. A young woman with so much love and strength, taken by a weak heart, the irony.
Caleb, Hanna and Nahani sat back down as everyone passed and gave their condolences; they all nodded politely and shook their hands.
"I'll drive you home?" Caleb stated as the three were left in the field alone.
'He hasn't changed much in three months, still kind, still handsome' Hanna thought
"I think we'll be alright." Hanna replied in a hoarse whisper
she was afraid if she said anymore she would burst into tears like she had every day since she heard the news.
"That wasn't a question , I don't feel safe having you drive when you're like this." Came his reply.
She nodded softly, agreeing with him, she wanted to answer to him and tell him that she was Heartbroken not drunk, but she was too tired to do so, and some part of her wanted him around.
Hanna stood up with the little hazel eyed girl still close to her.
Nahani like her mother was usually very talkative and active and happy, but if you found your mother laying on the kitchen floor not breathing you wouldn't be inclined to speak as much either.
Caleb's car still smelt the same, like hot leather and perfectly ripe apples. He still had her lips accessory hanging from the rear view mirror; it was a joke gift Hanna had got him at a work seminar she went to. He had barely looked at it when she gave it to him and she didn't expect him to actually put it up, nor even keep it up after their break-up three months ago.
The short drive to Hanna's apartment was quite, not a word was spoken and the only sound was the low buzzing of the radio and the lights snores of the exhausted little girl in the back seat.
