Maddie
The music was playing really loud, and grown-ups were laughing and clinking glasses. Hailey was still dancing with Grandpa, twirling around and around until she got so dizzy she almost fell over. That made everyone laugh.
But now Dad’s eyes were all crinkly at the corners again. Sunny did that. She made his real smile come back.
She held them both in her palm. Mom’s locket felt cool and smooth. The flower petal felt soft and delicate.
“Love doesn’t run out, sweetheart,” Beth had said. “Your heart just makes more room.”
A tear plopped onto her hand, making the petal stick to her skin. Maddie hadn’t realized she was crying. But they weren’t sad tears. They were… different tears.
Maddie carefully opened the locket. Very gently, she placed the petal inside next to the tiny picture, then closed it carefully. She put it back in her secret pocket and patted it to make sure it was safe. Then she looked up at the sky, which was turning pink and orange as the sun started to set.
“I think my heart made more room, Mom,” she whispered to the sky.