My Sister Called to Say Mom Had Died—While Mom Was Standing Right Beside Me

through her tai chi routine on the deck. Four months here in secret had put color back in her cheeks and strength back in her spine. Four months hiding from the world, and more specifically, hiding from my sister Dominique.

“Amara, are you there?” Dominique’s voice climbed higher, trembling with what sounded like grief but felt like performance.

“I’m continue reading …