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Kate just stared up at her

Tully reached down, let her knuckles graze Kates warm cheek "Its Tully, the bitch who used to be your best friend Im so sorry for what I did to you, Katie I should have told you that a long tio " She made a tiny, desperate sound If Kate didnt remember her, remember them, she didnt think she could bear it "I remember when I first met you, Katie Mularkey Ryan You were the first person who ever really wanted to know ot raped you were there for me " TheIht? Typical, you say But I remember you, too, Katie; every second Like when you read Love Story and couldnt figure out what sonovabitch meant because it wasnt in the dictionaryor when you swore youd never French-kiss because it was gross-o-raether Her whole life was in the roo, Katie But were not young anymore You remember that first time I left Snohoned them Forever friendsor Best friends forever Which was it"

Tully spun out the story of their years; so their bikes down Suot busted "Oh, heres one youll know Reht it was an action movie, only it was a cartoon? We were the oldest kids in the theater, and we caainst the World, and we said it would always be that way—"

"Stop "

Tully drew in a sharp breath

There were tears in her friends eyes, and ray patch of wetness on the pillow behind her head "Tully," Kate said in a soft, swollen voice, "did you really think I could forget you?"

Tullys relief was so huge she felt weak in the knees "Hey," she said "You didnt have to go so far to get my attention, you know " She touched her friends bald head, let her fingers linger on the baby-soft skin "You could have just called "

"I did call "

Tully flinched "Im so sorry, Katie I—"

"Youre a bitch," Kate said, s tiredly "Ive always known that And I could have called back, too I guess no one stays friends forthe way "

"I a up "I should have called It was just" She didnt even knohat to say, how to explain this dark rip that had always been inside of her

"No looking back, okay?"

"That only leaves ahead," Tully said, and the words were like bits of broken metal, sharp and cold

"No," Kate said "It leaves now "

"I did a show on breast cancer a few s with so Ill call him "