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“Aunt Wills!” Rebecca whined.

Willamena laughed. “Oh my goodness. The last time I heard you whine like that, you were fifteen and wanted to visit the Berkeley campus.”

“But you wanted me to go to NYU, so you kept procrastinating.”

“I was not procrastinating. I was giving you time to make a sensible decision.”

Rebecca smiled. “And I did. I went to Berkeley,” she winked. “Now, can we get back to Cass?”

“You are smitten!”

“Aunt Wills!”

They both enjoyed a spirited laugh. Willamena enjoyed hearing Rebecca’s carefree joy. Rebecca enjoyed feeling this free and effortlessly credited Cass for her lightheartedness. Today, Cass showed Rebecca an entirely different world. One where she could be happy. One where Rebecca was an equal and not just a… play toy. One where pain didn’t have to be a part of her life.

“Fine, my girl, calm down. I just wanted to mention — or remind you in case you were too sleepy to remember — that Cass wanted to go to your appointment with you.” Willamena leaned forward to observe Rebecca’s reaction. “Are you okay with that?”

Rebecca’s eyebrows creased in thought. “Right. She asked me in the car.” She raised her eyes to Willamena’s. “When I’m with Cass, I feel… safe. I don’t think I’ve ever felt that before.” Rebecca winced. “I didn’t mean…”

“Oh, my sweet girl.” Willamena offered an understanding smile. “As much as I wish it weren’t true, there was always a part of you that was guarded with me. Until Cass came along, that is. And believe me when I tell you I understood. You always carried too much responsibility for things you had no control over.”

Rebecca wanted to argue, but Aunt Wills was right. At ten years old, when her parents died, young Rebecca was reserved. She loved her aunt and was grateful Aunt Wills took her in. But, at the same time, Rebecca worried that she’d do something stupid again and lose another person she loved. Then Rebecca met Samantha and was forced to keep Aunt Wills out of her life. Forced and too much of a coward to do anything about it.

“Cass seems to be good at making things better,” Rebecca said, focusing on that tidbit from all that Aunt Wills said. “This follow-up. Is it just to get my stitches out?”

Willamena shook her head. “Dr. Lima will discuss the results of the biopsy as well.”

Rebecca closed her eyes briefly and nodded. “The tumor. I think I want Cass there. Maybe she’ll bring me good luck. Or she can console me if it’s bad news.”

“Console you, hmm?”

Rebecca rolled her eyes. “Don’t make it weird.”

Willamena snorted. “I made it weird?” She wanted to be there with Rebecca when she heard the results. But she loved Rebecca and Cass enough to step aside and let them bond. “This actually works out great. Cass can take you to your appointment while I go grocery shopping. That girl can eat, and I’m sure she’ll be starving when she brings you home.”

“Wait, you’re not going?”

“I don’t want to overwhelm Dr. Lima. It’s fine, sweet girl. Cass will be with you, and you can tell me about it when you get home. Unless you want me there.”

“I don’t want you to think I’m cutting you out again.”

Tears welled in Willamena’s eyes. “I don’t think that. Our relationship is stronger than ever, sweet girl.” She got up and went to Rebecca, hugging her gently. “I’ll text Cass and let her know she can pick you up to take you to your appointment.”

Rebecca’s smile lit up the room. “Thank you, Aunt Wills. And since you’re being so generous, do you think you could make me a sandwich?”

“Ha! Nope. My generosity has run dry,” Willamena teased with a wink. “Turkey?”

“With mayo, cheddar cheese, and one slice of a tomato, please?”

Willamena grinned and kissed the top of Rebecca’s head. “Comfort food coming right up.”

“Thanks. Oh, hey. When is my appointment?” Rebecca needed to know how long she had to prepare for whatever news she got from the doctor.

“Tomorrow morning,” Willamena called out on her way to the kitchen.

“Tomorrow?!”

“I, uh, didn’t mean to push Aunt Wills out,” Cass took a quick look at Rebecca before focusing on the road again. “I can bow out if she wants to be there.”