“He would give his own life to see Melody able to stay this young, to see her live her teenage life – all the years. He wanted to pull her to him now. Say, Hold on to yourself, Melody. Don’t get lost. He wanted to say again what he’d said to her so many times before. You’re loved, baby, you’re loved.”

“He would give his own life to see Melody able to stay this young, to see her live her teenage life – all the years. He wanted to pull her to him now. Say, Hold on to yourself, Melody. Don’t get lost. He wanted to say again what he’d said to her so many times before. You’re loved, baby, you’re loved.”

— Jacqueline Woodson