Page 61 of Tracing Holland

“Keep me updated, ok?”she whispers, and I know that request means way more than it sounds.

“I will, Holland.”I meet her gaze.“I promise.”

I kiss her then, loving how that simple action has transformed the anger of the previous moment into a more functional strength.She makes me better, stronger, no question.

“I’ll let you know as soon as I learn anything more,” I assure her, pulling away.

She nods.“Ok.And I’ll get dressed.”

I grin.“Good plan.”

I findthem in Casey’s room, and Callie lets me in with a knowing look.Casey is by the window doing his frantic pacing while he argues with someone on the phone.

“Molly,” Callie explains.

I nod and watch him for a second before turning back to Callie.I don’t think he even realizes I’m here yet.

“So what’s happening?What’s the story?”

Callie sighs and leans against the wall by the door, crossing her arms.

“Ok, so apparently his father had been sick for a while but refused any kind of treatment.He didn’t do doctors or whatever.Anyway, when he died on Thursday, his mom didn’t want Casey to find out until after the funeral.”

“What?Why?That’s messed up!”

She grunts.“Yeah, tell me about it.He’s really upset, as you can imagine.I don’t know.I guess since he was the only one still at odds with the man?Who knows, but Molly couldn’t keep it from him any longer and called this morning.She claims his mom is just out of it and thought she was helping Casey by not telling him.She’s always been kind of misguided and naïve, I guess.”

“Yes, she has, but that’s…” I shake my head.“Callie, he needs to go to that funeral.”

She meets my eyes briefly before turning back to Casey.I can see how concerned she is for him, how much she loves him.“I don’t know.Their whole family situation is so screwed up.It might do more harm than good.Besides, I don’t know if you’d be able to convince him to go.He’s a mess right now.”

I sigh and study my friend, my brother, across the room.“I know, but you have to trust me on this.I know Casey.It’s not about his father, it’s about him and the rest of his family.He needs to be there.Let me try to talk to him.”

Callie seems relieved at my involvement.“Thanks, Luke.Actually, he hasn’t eaten all day.I’m going to go find us something and give you time alone.”

We exchange sad smiles as she exits the room, and Casey looks over at the clatter of the door as he finishes his call.

“Luke, hey,” he says, and I make my way toward the main space in the room.

“Hey, man.Callie’s going to get you some food.She told me the news.I’m sorry, Case.”

He shakes his head with a dark expression.“That my dad is dead or that my bat-shit mom didn’t want to tell me.”

“Both?”

He returns a weak smile and drops to the edge of the bed.“Yeah, and so now what the hell am I supposed to do?Molly wants me there, Mom clearly doesn’t, Nate and Abby want me...this is so messed up.”

“You go.”

His gaze shoots over to me.“What?”

“Case, you need to be there.”

“Really, just like that, huh,” he replies skeptically.“My dad and I were not on good terms.Everyone there will know that.”

I nod.“No, but you’re on good terms with Molly, Nate, Abby, and the rest of your friends and family.You go, Case.You only get one chance to attend your father’s funeral.”I know that as well as anyone.I suspect Casey is thinking the same thing when he quiets and considers my argument.

“What about Mom?”he says finally.