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“What, baby?”
“Will you tell me why you’re not afraid?”
“You think I’m not afraid?”
“You are?” A part of me feels relief I’m not the only one, but knowing it makes me feel guilty for placing a chink in the armor she’s been using to get herself to this point. Surging to my feet, I move toward the window.
“That’s because I’m focused on fighting to live.”
Eyes narrowing, I dare her to lie to me when I face her before challenging, “Are you keeping something from me?”
My mother rolls her eyes. “Fallon, I have been diagnosed with a very aggressive form of Stage IV uterine cancer. While I don’t want anyone to know about it yet, I think I’ll be okay sitting here for a few days until my blood levels even out enough for Dr. Lam to feel comfortable sending me home.”
I try to determine if there’s any subterfuge in her words but find nothing but sincerity there. With a sigh, I capitulate. “Only if you swear you’ll have the hospital call if anything happens.”
She holds up her hand and says solemnly, “I swear, if I try a new flavor of Jello for dessert, I’ll have them call you.”
“Not funny.”
She pinches her fingers together. “A little funny?”
My lips twitch. “Maybe just a bit, but only because I’ll be jealous if you finally get the orange flavor.”
We both succumb to laughter. While I’m grateful for the laughter, I hate this. I hate our banter has been reduced from discussing jobs, TV shows, and men to mocking the fear building up within these four walls.
Maybe that’s a good sign. Maybe cancer should be afraid of two Brookes women set out to destroy it. I want it eradicated, eliminated, pulverized to nothing but a distant memory. I don’t care what it takes—what specialists or medicines my mother requires. No matter the cost, no matter the toll, I’ll do what I need to pull her from the edge of death to the safety of life beyond.
Austyn won’t hesitate, I know. She’ll raise an army to get my mother well, with Paige leading a brigade of doctors right behind her.
That’s why my senses go on high alert when my mother cautions me. “Fallon, I need you to make me a promise.”
“What?”
Tension snaps my back ramrod straight when she requests, “Don’t say anything to anyone about this.”
“Not even Ethan?”
“Not yet.”
Incredulous, I stare at her with my mouth agape. “You’ve got to be kidding.”
She shakes her head.
I sputter, “B-b-but why?”
Her voice is sharp as a knife when she scores my heart with it. “Because until I’ve accepted exactly what I’m facing, I’m not ready to field a million questions? Because it’s my decision? Because it’s my choice and not yours?”
Every word out of her mouth causes her voice to rise and causes me to shrink. She’s right. Of course she is. The problem is I just don’t know if I’m strong enough to handle her prognosis on my own. Surging to my feet, I walk over to the window overlooking Seven Virtues—a place that’s both given and ripped away so many dreams.
I only pray today the saints that supposedly protect our sleepy little town hear my prayers to give me the strength I need to carry my mother through her battle.
“Fallon?” My mother’s voice is filled with regret. “I’m sorry I snapped at you. It’s just…it’s a lot, sweetheart.”
“I know, Mama.” Boy, do I get it. “And I won’t say anything to Ethan.” Not yet, anyway.
Relief flashes across her face. “Thank you.”
I make my way back to her side and take her hand. “Should I be annoyed you’re watching Peter Freeman without me?”