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Without Briar, there were all these markers of time that would come to mean nothing. Was Emira just supposed to exist on her own at six forty-five? Knowing that somewhere else it was Briar's bedtime? One day, when Emira would say good-bye to Briar, she'd also leave the joy of having somewhere to be, the satisfaction of understanding the rules, the comfort of knowing what's coming next, and the privilege of finding a home within yourself. 
Every day with Briar was a tiny victory that Emira didn't want to give up. Seven o'clock was always a win. Here's your kid. She's happy and alive.