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Outside the door, the nurses chat at their station about the upco Whiskey Moon festival This year it falls on the sah school reunion I wasn’t planning on attending either, but as long as ht as well go

I darken my phone screen and watch my father sleep

Ten years ago, I made a wish under the marble Whiskey Moon—and that as to marry Wyatt so career or a million dollars … but all I wanted was to be with hie pact, I took it as a sign thatit into action already

What a cruel joke that turned out to be

Still, all this tiht

“How’s he doing?” Odette asks when she finally returns Her arainst her lithe body and dark circles fraht plums

“Excusehours are over in about five ar-soft voice tells us

My father stirs awake just in tiht and that we’ll see hi

We head to the parking lot, which is half-ehts our way home and road noise serves as a replacelass of the passenger , closing her eyes andwhat I can only presume is a prayer

“He’s going to be okay,” I tell her, just like I told her earlier today

Sitting up, she dabs a tear froed breath

“He’s such a good hts back a sob “I don’t knohat I’d do without him”

I debate whether or not I should reach for her hand or comfort her, but we’ve never had a touchy-feely relationship in the twenty-three years we’ve known each other It wouldn’t be natural

“He’s been so good to me, Blaire,” she says “All he’s ever done is take care of us Who’s going to take care of us if he’s gone?”

My father has always been a shrewd saver With various investment accounts and insurance policies and assets, Odette would be set for life in the event of his death She’d becare of herself

“We’ll take care of ourselves,” I tell her “But he’s not going to leave us He’s not dying He just has a condition It’s going to be fine, Odette …”

She pulls in a quick breath and drops her hands in her lap, pri her emotions off like the flip of a switch