Bella was sobbing, and he felt her shaking, as he held her. The chatter from the other girls and mothers across the room ceased, as they all focused their attention on Bella. It was then he realized he was the only man in the room. Every other girl had a woman present, supporting them. Ethic could provide and had provided a lot for Bella over the years, but nothing could make up for being a motherless child. She bolted from the sanctuary and Ethic turned to the woman. “I’m sorry,” he said, before going after his daughter.

As soon as he made it to the hallway, he was shocked at the sight before him. Alani stood there, holding Bella, as she cried hysterically on her shoulder. Confusion, empathy, and hurt resonated in Alani’s eyes, as she looked up at him.

“Shh,” she whispered, as she caressed Bella’s head, gently. Ethic stepped toward them, but Alani put up one hand, stopping him, as if that one hand possessed some type of magic that cursed his feet from moving. Her other hand was wrapped tightly around Bella. It was a motherly embrace, a comforting hold, one that Ethic knew his daughter needed. “I’ve got it,” she said. “Come on, baby girl,” she said, as she whisked Bella into the women’s bathroom. Ethic didn’t know where Alani had come from, but he was grateful for her presence because his daughter was hurting, and he had no idea what to do.

Alani grabbed Kleenex from the sink and cupped Bella’s chin in her hand, as she wiped her tears. “It’s okay to cry, Bella, let it out,” she whispered, as her own eyes misted. There was so much pain in this little girl. Bella’s entire body quaked.

“I told him I didn’t want to come here,” Bella said, hyperventilating between words, trying hard to catch her breath. “Everybody in there is with their moms. Mine is dead and it’s just not fair.”