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"I make a mean macaroni and cheese Otherwise it’s takeout"

She scoops scra with a playful, -after contentment "Bon appétit Here’s the best I can do under these conditions"

I take the plate but set it on the counter And I forget all about priorities and goals, honesty and schedules

I just want to kiss her again

Before I have the chance,on the screen Chelsea sees it too and she steps closer tothe phone tookay?"

"No, Honeybear, it’s not You and Chelsea need to meet me at the hospital"

16

I can’t tell you hoful I feel I’e of tears--and she’s not a crier

Chelsea rubs her shoulder "It’s okay These things happen--especially to my nieces and nephews Riley broke her collarbone when she o, Ray last year--and my sister-in-laas always on top of thei"

"I knew as soon as I heard hiht"

They continue to talk in the e room, while I crouch down in front of Rory where he sits in an orange plastic chair, cradling his right arainst his chest Pain has bled his face of color His eyes droop with agony and he takes in air slowly, every , kid?"

"It hurts"

"Yeah, I know" I brushto jostle hie nurse and tell her to hurry up, that I think he could be going into shock

She can tell I’m full of shit but it oes that the kids were playing in the backyard, under Owen’s watchful eye, while my mother made breakfast Riley bet Rory that he couldn’t climb to the top of the oak tree Which, of course, Rory could--and did Getting downposed e And here we are

"Why don’t you head back to the house, Mo his mind with the other five by now"

"Okay" She nods, caressing Rory’s head "I’ll see you soon, sweetie"

"Don’t worry, Gigi, I’ll be fine," Rory says kindly, proving that my mother has definitely won the kid over

"Rory McQuaid?" a nurse with a wheelchair announces, ready to actually take us into the ER

"Thank Christ," I mutter

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