To my surprise, Uncle Steve laughed quietly.
Not mockingly.
Not cruelly.
Just a soft laugh.
"What's funny?" I asked, irritation slipping into my voice.
"Nothing."
His tone was calm.
Then he sighed.
"I just never thought I'd hear you say those words."
I frowned.
"What words?"
"That you love her."
Silence filled the room.
I lowered my gaze.
For years I had never questioned my feelings.
Never examined them.
Never tried to understand them.
I simply lived my life believing everything was the way it should be.
Yet now that Alicia was gone, I couldn't stop thinking about her.
Couldn't stop searching for her.
Couldn't stop missing her.
"You know," Uncle Steve said quietly, "your grandmother would be smiling if she heard you right now."
The mention of Nana made my chest tighten.
"Alexander."
His voice became serious.
Though still gentle.
"Maybe Alicia had just reached her limit."
The words struck harder than I expected.
" Loving someone isn't always enough."
