Maria listened quietly, pain flashing across her features as Ninep recounted her sorrows. At last, she finished, and a moment of silence passed between them.
Ninep seemed so morose and unsure. Maria brought her head against her chest in reassurance, murmuring, "Ninep... I... I don't know what it's like, to live with your father's absence... but... I'm sorry, Ninep. I wish... I wish I could help." Ninep's eyes began to redden, and she abruptly pulled Maria into a fierce embrace. Maria's orbs widened at first, but then she too felt overwhelmed by emotion and succumbed to the warmth of Ninep's touch.
"You," Ninep whispered, her breath hot on Maria's ear. "As long as you're here, I... I can make it." They held each other as tears trickled down cheeks and dripped onto the shifting sands to be carried away into the sea. With time and soothing embraces, their pain dissipated into a mist swept out by the ocean breeze and into the setting sun.
