Molly gave in and wiped the tears from her eyes. She hated to draw more attention to it, but this really was better. “I’m sorry,” she said, not really knowing if she was apologizing for the tears or for Abby’s loss. On that awful night, Abby had referred to her parents in the past tense. Molly hadn’t meant to drag that pain back up nor to remind Abby of a terrible place – wherever that was.
“I know. There are so many kind people here. It’s just – I don’t always know what to say or what to do when I’m around them.” Rather than continue to belabor the issue, she decided to make a gesture of faith. It may have been small to an outside observer, but it was a huge act to Molly. “Can you show me,” she said, fiddling with the ribbon, “how to tie this in my hair? I don’t know how, and there wasn’t ever anyone to ask. I can’t ever get ribbons to stay.” Her voice had been soft, showing all of her youth.