A Brush of Blue

Chapter 9: Soft Mornings, Quiet Healing

Selah woke up to the sound of seagulls calling faintly in the distance and the soft whisper of waves rolling onto the shore. She blinked her eyes open, the early morning light filtering gently through the thin curtains of her bedroom. The familiar weight of grief was still there, but today, for the first time in a long while, it didn't feel as heavy. It was as if the edges had softened, making it easier to breathe, easier to move.

She lay still for a few moments, savoring the feeling. Her body felt lighter, her mind a little clearer. The memories of last night—the laughter, the crackling bonfire, and Naomi's warm presence—floated to the surface. She smiled softly, a quiet sense of peace settling over her.

Her eyes drifted to the bedside table where a small picture frame stood. It was the one she had brought with her to Blue Haven, the only framed photograph she could bear to look at these days. In the photo, Grace was laughing, her eyes crinkled with joy as she looked at something off-camera. They had taken it during a weekend getaway years ago, back when everything still felt endless and bright.

Selah reached out, tracing the edge of the frame with her fingers. The grief was still there, like it always was, but today it didn't overwhelm her. Instead, it was a quiet ache, a soft reminder of what she had lost. Her lips curved into a bittersweet smile as she gazed at Grace's face.

"I miss you," Selah whispered, her voice barely audible in the stillness of the room. There was no response, of course—there hadn't been for nearly a year—but today, the sadness didn't crush her. It simply lingered, like a familiar companion.

Taking a deep breath, Selah pushed the blankets aside and rose from the bed. The cool morning air brushed against her skin as she padded barefoot across the room, pulling on a light sweater. The cottage felt cozy, with the faint scent of saltwater drifting in from the open window. It was a beautiful day, and she felt a surprising urge to be outside, to feel the sand beneath her feet and let the ocean's rhythm steady her mind.

She made herself a quick cup of tea, the warmth of the mug grounding her as she gazed out at the sparkling water. For the first time in months, she felt like she was ready to face the day.

***

The beach was quiet that morning, the usual crowds of tourists and locals nowhere to be seen this early in the day. Selah walked along the shoreline, the cool, damp sand sinking beneath her feet with each step. The sky was clear, a soft blue stretching endlessly above, and the ocean shimmered with the first light of the sun. She felt at peace here, the steady crash of the waves calming her thoughts, pulling her out of the maze of grief she had been lost in for so long.

As she walked, Selah pulled out her phone, hesitating for a moment before swiping through her contacts. Her thumb hovered over her sister's name, and for a brief second, she thought about putting the phone away. But something in her had shifted. She felt lighter today, more open. Maybe it was time to reach out.

She tapped Cora's name, selecting the video call option, and waited as the phone rang.

After a few moments, a sleepy Cora appeared on the screen, her dark curls sticking up at odd angles and her eyes half-closed. "Selah?" Cora's voice was thick with sleep, but there was a note of surprise in it too. "What time is it?"

Selah laughed softly. "Sorry, I forgot you're a couple of hours behind me. Do you want me to call back later?"

Cora rubbed her eyes and sat up, blinking at the screen. "It's okay. I'm just surprised you're calling. But... it's a good surprise." She gave her a warm, sleepy smile. "How are you?"

"I'm... good, actually," Selah said, her own smile softening. "Better than I've been in a while."

Cora raised an eyebrow, the surprise deepening in her expression. "Really? That's great, Selah. What's going on? What's changed?"