Adela felt Herbie’s arms clinging to her waist, the small girl’s sobs tearing at her heart. Unable to hold back any longer, tears slipped down Adela’s own cheeks. She had promised herself she would be strong, especially in front of Herbie, but there was no steel in the world strong enough to completely shield her from a moment like this. So she lowered herself to Herbie’s eye level, gathering her little sister into a trembling hug. Everyone around them—Mr. Anderson, Mrs. Anderson, and even Layson Norman—remained quiet. It was as if the weight of this farewell hung in the air, giving the scene a solemn hush.
“I’ll come back for you,” Adela whispered, gently rubbing Herbie’s back in a soothing circle. She had said this so many times before, but saying it now felt like an act of desperation,
