Mountains don't last forever. Through erosion caused by wind, water, ice, and gravity, the rocks that make up mountains are gradually worn down and carried away.

     

There are breakings that announce themselves loudly, and breakings so quiet you don’t recognize them at all. The quiet fractures are the most dangerous.

     

“So,” she says, squinting. “Who’s the daddy?” The question lands easy. Practiced. Like this is a riddle women pass down to one another,.

     

My other pregnancies had all failed—all except for my perfect Olive. She was our survivor. The only one strong enough to survive my own body.

     

The truth is I was not mourning just you. I was mourning the version of myself that still trusted fire.