Page 94 of Close Match

“It can’t be that bad.” While I’d typically pounce on her countdown like a lioness on fresh meat, I avoid it for now.

“It is. I think the baby shower my assistant threw for me today was a ‘get the hell out of here so I can get some damn work done’ party.” Jesus, I forgot today was her shower at work. My head falls forward in gratitude over the fact my sister didn’t want a private shower, so I just bombarded her with gifts at Christmas when she was here—something Simon gave me a raft of shit over. “How the hell are we supposed to get all this crap home, Linnie? We flew?”

I remember telling him, “On a private jet, you schmuck.”

He’d sheepishly wrapped his arms around a chuckling Bristol. “Oh, yeah. Oops. Thanks!”

Everyone laughed as I threw part of a diaper cake I had made in his face.

She chatters on in my ear. “I think once Alex is here, it will become more real—that we’re all Houdes.” Her voice is buoyant, happy, excited.

I’m about to ruin all of that.

“Bristol.”

I’ve only said her name when she interrupts me. “What’s wrong?”

Can one right balance out the incredible wrong I’m about to deliver? I rub my hand over my forehead as I try to find the right words.

I must take too long, or she knows me too well.

“You’re not coming home in time for Alex to be born,” she says flatly. I wince at the complete void of emotion in her voice.

“Let me explain,” I plead, but before I can get another word out, I’m again cut off.

This time at the knees.

“I’ve been there for you since the moment I found that damn diary! I’m the one who held your hand while you grieved, but you can’t hold mine while I celebrate?” Bristol takes in a shaky breath. “You made me a promise!”

“Please, Bristol.” I’m begging her. “Let me explain. Ev’s sick.”

That gets her attention.

“What do you mean, sick?” she demands.

“It’s cancer,” I manage to get out.

And just like that, her anger deflates. “Jesus, Linnie,” Across hundreds of miles, the horror of what’s happening is understood. “Is there anything we can do?” I know from the limited amount of time they spent together, Bristol and Simon respect and admire Ev and Char.

And it’s so like my sister to put aside her feelings of disappointment to ask.

“There’s only one thing that can be done.” I take a deep breath. “And I have to help him do it.”

“What do you mean?”

And slowly, I reveal the real reason it was so easy to find my close match—because my father needed a bone marrow donor. I explain about the procedure Ev’s about to undergo and how I’m going to help.

“I’m feeling so much right now: regret because I can’t be there with you, agony over what Ev’s about to endure, and drained.”

“Because you feel like you’re holding the world up on your shoulders?” Bristol interjects.

I frown. “No, I think Monty’s the one who’s doing that.”

“Is he really? Or is he leaning on you like a crutch, Linnie?”

“What makes you say that? I thought you liked him.” I’m confused

“I don’t know. Since I’ve been back, I’ve been thinking about him. There’s something about him that reminds me of someone. I just can’t put my finger on it.”