Bigs brought up the time we fell asleep watching a scary movie, and Marley woke us up in the middle of the night with an air horn. She informed us we’d be sleeping outside. In her backyard, our sleeping bags filled the space between the shed and the pool. Marley proceeded to tell us ghost stories until we couldn’t keep our eyes open. Everyone crashed. Except for Bigs, we learned. Marley woke up not long after the rest of us had gone to sleep. She realized Bigs was still awake too, so she stayed with him, leaning her head on his shoulder as they kept an eye on the rest of us.

With each story, the teller tossed a handful of dirt and closed with, “I love you, Marley. I love you, Olivia. I love all of you.”

Aidy used her time to apologize for writing a letter trying to kick Marley out of the group. Harrison stood back up to echo the sentiment. Bigs and Teeny joined them. “We never really wanted you to leave. We just didn’t know better.” They each tossed in an extra handful.

Nick got up. He took a handful of dirt and passed it from hand to hand. “Marley,” he started. “There’s so much we didn’t understand about you. We weren’t paying attention, I guess. Or we were too afraid to ask. I’m sorry we didn’t. I would’ve at least tried to make you laugh. You didn’t like to admit it, but I know you thought I was funny. I used to be, at least.” Soft dirt fell through his fingers. “We could’ve helped make it better. That’s what we were best at. Every memory tonight proves it.” He stopped. The rest of the dirt fell from his shaking hands. “Marley, I wish I knew to be stronger that day. I wish I had listened to Olivia. I’m sorry you wished to stop wishing, because it’s a powerful thing. My wishes are the only things keeping that day from swallowing me up. I hate thinking you knew. That you would do that to me. It makes me wish I could hug you and tell you not that it will all be okay, but that it will be easier with our help.”

He leaned over to cup a fresh handful of dirt. His palms clasped together like the soil held power. “Olivia, you don’t have to carry her all on your own. This has always been as much mine as it is yours, and I pushed it away. Turned it into wishes. Right now, I have the power to do what I didn’t that day five years ago. I can say to you not that it will be okay, but that it will be easier—for both of us—with help.” His palms parted. “I love you, Marley.” He looked to me. “I love you, Olivia.” He looked around. “I love all of you.”