4 Quotes by Cheryl Reid

What is wrong with you?” Nelly nestled Marina in her own bosom, cooed to her and looked at her with eyes full of love. I knew I should want to hold the baby and feel attached, to feel love for her, but in my gut and head, there was only despair. Nelly clicked her tongue. “A mother who refuses a newborn is unnatural.

She loved him as I loved my children, but she burdened us with the depth of her love. It went as deep as misery.

I was shocked to see my beautiful Marina in such a mess, no makeup and her green eyes bloodshot. Her ebony hair, usually smooth and swept up in a French twist, was disheveled and damp. She wore one of Michael’s button-downs and rolled-up blue jeans, not one of her smart and tidy dresses. To my surprise, she wrapped her arms around me and held tight. Heat emanated from her body.

Marina noticed Sophie, and the worry on my daughter’s face vanished. “My sweet girl. Aren’t you a pretty ballerina?” She touched Sophie’s curls. Sophie held Marina’s hand like it was a fragile china doll. She ran her small brown fingers over the pale-pink nails and the soft knuckles, no doubt a wonder to Sophie, in comparison to Lila’s rough hands.