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Meredith dared to reach out and cover her mother’s cold, cold hand with her own, but she couldn’t find any words to go along with the inti ”

“I ate yesterday ”

“I know Come on ” She held her mother’s hand and helped her to rise After too htened slowly, popping and creaking at the new movement

As soon as she was fully upright, Mostone path toward the house

Meredith let her go on ahead

Meredith followed her into the kitchen, where she called Jeff and told him she wouldn’t be hoain,” she said “I think I better work here today ”

“Big surprise ”

“Come on, Jeff Be fair—”

He hung up

Stung by the sound of the dial tone, she called Jillian instead They i about school and Los Angeles and the weather Meredith listened to her eldest daughter in awoy and medical schools, and Meredith wondered how it had happened, this growing up and aps in her teeth who could spend an entire afternoon staring at an apple bud, waiting for it to blosso, Moet Grandpa?

And teaching Jillian to drive had taken about ten rit your teeth Trust me

“I love you, Jillie,” Meredith said, realizing a second too late that she’d interrupted her daughter She’d been saying sohed; she’d been caught not listening “And I’m really proud of you ”

“I’ you into a coma, aren’t I?”

“Just a deep sleep ”

Jillian laughed “Okay, Mootta run anyway Love you ”