[ WP ] A woman finds the tree of life , but not in time to save the one she loves .

Kendra's shovel bit the dirt with a thick *shump*. It had taken her several hours, and she had to keep moving around roots, but the grave was finally deep enough. 
 
 With dirty hands she wiped the sweat from her brow and heaved herself from the wound she had made in the earth. The car was parked nearby. The walk to it felt like it took years. Despite the chill autumn air, Kendra felt warm. Maybe it was the idea of what she was doing. 
 
 The beeping alert of an open car door sang as she moved her arms beneath Tia's body. She had lost so much weight. The cancer had devoured her, carving her out from the inside. She was as light as the fall leaves around her. 
 
 Tia's grey blanket trailed a bit on the ground as Kendra moved toward the hole at the base of the tree. In a world of oranges, reds and browns the tree's green leaves seemed to shine in the afternoon light. Kendra slid into the hole with Tia. 
 
 She considered not coming out. Just laying their, with her daughter, and dying in the cold next to her, but Tia would n't want that. Kendra placed a light kiss over the sheet on her daughter's head and then climbed out again. 
 
 She shoveled the rest of the day. 
 
 The tree of life drew strength from the ground.
