Chapter 6 - What Is Saved
The heavy front door of the house clicked shut in the distance.
The quiet returned to the kitchen, soft and still.
Mark took a long, slow breath, letting his shoulders drop an inch.
He set Lily down gently on the edge of the spotless marble countertop, keeping both hands steady on her waist.
Lily looked down at her silver glitter shoes, then reached into her small dress pocket.
She pulled out a crumpled piece of foil containing a single, tiny piece of unburnt yellow cake.
It was misshapen, cold, and covered in sugar dust.
"I saved the middle for you," Lily said softly, holding it out on her flat, sticky palm.
"Because the middle didn't get hurt by the fire."
Mark stared at the tiny piece of yellow cake resting in her small hand.
His eyes glistened under the bright kitchen lights, but he didn't let a tear fall.
He leaned down and took the piece of cake, placing it on his tongue.
"It's the best thing I've ever tasted, Lily," he said softly.
He picked her back up, cradling her small frame securely against his navy suit.
May you like
With his shoe, he kicked the cabinet door shut, turning his back on the burnt tin forever.
They walked out of the kitchen together, leaving the cold marble and the smell of ash behind them in the dark.
