For My Daughter, A Storm

white walls, the rhythmic beep of the heart monitor the only sound breaking the heavy silence. My daught

ndow, his back to me. He hadn't tou

aid she won't

s Andrew Fowler, a man who moved mountains in D.C. with a phone cal

her in an al

erfect, not a single crease. His hair was styled.

ticed concern. "This is a disaster

. "Her reputation?

e President, the Senator... they made her a goddaughter, a symbol. What do you think

He was talking ab

now. "I had to start a rumor, you know. That she was always... un

his own daughter. Lying

he said, as if that explained e

one he had with his colleague,

, Andrew?" My voi

me straight in the eye. His

sition as the President's goddaughter. Endorse Molly to take h

as a position. A thing to be replaced.

se entered. She checked Gabriell

e said softly. "She might

close. Her eyes fluttered open, just a

most lost in the beep of the machine. "It hurts..

streamed down my face. I

promised. "I'll take

l, a piece of iron. I turned to Andrew, my grief har

ut," I

en angry. "Maria, we

t.

he room, his footsteps echoing down the empty hall. He left the sc

t felt like a cage, all for a promise I made to a dead President, broke

ed to the silent room, "is wort

for Gabrielle. And I would use every l