CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SIX - When Silence Isn’t Enough

"See this little fellow?" Melissa said, gently lifting a drooping leaf. "He might look sad now, but with a little care and attention, he'll perk right up. Plants are resilient that way. Kind of like people." Nia found the act of nurturing something soothing. As she carefully patted soil around the delicate roots, she felt a sense of purpose she hadn't experienced in a long time. There were still moments when grief overwhelmed her. One evening, as she was doing dishes, a song came on the radio – one that Leon used to sing off-key while they cooked together. Nia's hands began to shake, and she felt the familiar tightness in her chest. But instead of spiraling into despair, she reached for her phone and called Melissa. Within minutes, Melissa was at her door, enveloping Nia in a warm hug. "It's okay, honey," Melissa soothed as Nia cried. "Let it out. These moments will come, but they'll pass. And I'll be here until they do." At Melissa's suggestion, Nia started keeping a journal. Eac