Chapter 36 - The Anniversary
November 12th.
The fifth anniversary of the South Line collapse.
The local news stations were running retrospectives all week. They showed the footage of the crushed train cars, the dust-covered survivors emerging from the smoke, and the grim tally of the fourteen people who didn't make it out.
My phone buzzed constantly with emails from journalists wanting a follow-up interview with "The Mother Who Survived."
I deleted every single one.
I didn't want to be a symbol of tragedy anymore. I wanted to be a woman making pancakes for her daughter.
That morning, Alex called me.
"Turn off the TV today," Alex said, his voice thick with emotion. "Don't watch the coverage."
"I haven't turned it on, Alex," I replied.
"Good," he paused. "I... I requested the day off work. If you want, I can take Clara to the aquarium. Let you and Mark have some peace today."
It was a deeply considerate offer. The old Alex would have forgotten the date entirely.
"I'd like that, Alex. Thank you."
When Clara left with her father, the house was quiet again.
Mark walked into the kitchen, holding two coats.
"Come on," he said. "We aren't staying in the house today."
May you like
"Where are we going?"
"Somewhere open," he promised.
