Too much to bear

“Are you sure we’re in the right place?” Mia picked dry leaves out of her hair.

“Of course, I’m sure.” Aden pushed aside underbrush.

Traipsing through the woods looking for a specific tree was a frustrating endeavor. Ten years was a long time in a tree’s life.

“It won’t still be that little sapling.” Mia turned in circles, searching the woods.

“I found it!” Aden shouted. “Over here.

“Why is it all bent over like that?” she asked

‘The words I etched in it back then were too ardent for it to bear,” Aden said.

‘What words?”

“A loves M.”