Cassandra leaned against the buggy as her niece, Kali, walked beside her through Walmart, casually browsing the aisles.


Cassandra’s heart was heavy. She had to do the hardest thing she’d ever done, and she still didn’t know how she was going to say it.


They wandered into the toy section. Kali’s eyes lit up instantly, her hands running over every box, every doll, every glittery accessory.

“Aunt C, can I get this?” she asked, holding up a business-attire Barbie.


Cassandra cleared her throat. “You can get whatever you want. Pick five big things.”


Kali stared at her, stunned. “Are you sure? Do you have enough money? Big things cost a lot.”


She was only ten, but wise ,too wise, for her age. Cassandra forced a smile. “Get whatever you want, baby.”


Kali darted from aisle to aisle, grabbing a Barbie house, a car, and a handful of dolls to match her first one. Her joy was so bright, her smile so wide, that Cassandra felt her chest tighten. She didn’t want to steal that joy away.


They walked past the luggage section, and Cassandra stopped the cart.

“Pick out a suitcase,” she said softly.


Kali froze. “Why? Am I going somewhere?” She looked up, worry tightening her face. “Did I do something wrong?”


Cassandra walked over and knelt beside her. “You’re coming home with me.”


“But you live far away,” Kali whispered. “And school is still in. And I can’t leave Mama.”


Cassandra broke. Tears streamed down her face before she could stop them. Kali reached out, rubbing her head gently. “What’s wrong, Auntie?”


Cassandra’s voice cracked into a whisper. “You don’t have to worry about your Mama anymore. She… she went to a better place.”


Kali’s body stilled. “Without me? She… left me?” Tears flooded her eyes.


“I’m so sorry, baby,” Cassandra said. “They found your Mama this morning. She was dead. And the house… it burned down too.”


The world around Kali began to collapse. Her chest tightened, the aisles blurred, and she heard herself, crying and screaming before everything went black.