@hughharris94I bet you’re one of those Americans who pronounces Cairns like it rhymes with barns.
@millieandipaxtonAh yes, because it makes total sense to pronounce it like the film festival.
@hughharris94Touché.
@millieandipaxtonTouché.
@hughharris94Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
@millieandipaxtonSorry, just distracted today. Got some not bad not good news.
@hughharris94Terrifying to think about how not-bad-not-good news would have to be to distract an American. Another yodeller chaining himself to a Walmart? Did a bear eat Lady Gaga’s famous poodles?
@hughharris94Sorry to hear that though, really.
Chapter 3
I don’t see Millie again until after she’s got the call. We live five minutes from each other, and she’s driven over to go on a walk with me and Murphy.
I know what Millie’s gonna tell me, my mom has already called and filled me in. The best surgeon in the Columbus area has an opening. Insurance has approved her for the procedure. Millie has officially scheduled her double mastectomy and reconstruction for 15th December, a day after she was supposed to land in Australia.
‘I don’t get why all of this is happening so fast,’ I say when Millie explains it to me herself. We’ve stalled on the sidewalk. Murphy is tugging at his leash.
‘I don’t feel like I have a choice. My body is a ticking time bomb.’
‘But . . .’ I trail off. I don’t know what to say. I got my results from the lab a few days ago and found out I don’t have the BRCA gene. I’ve spent so many years thinking Millie was the lucky one . . .livinglike Millie was the lucky one. But looking at her now, about to miss the trip of a lifetime, it doesn’t feel that way anymore. I should be relieved, elated even, but instead I feel heavy with guilt.
‘Andi, I’ve looked into it. I’ve done all the research. I’m going to have to do it eventually, and the longer I wait, the more likely it is something will get worse. I’m going to get it over with.’ Her words are firm, but her voice wavers slightly. ‘I won’t have a good trip with this in the back of my mind.’
‘So . . .’ words fail me again. We both know what Millie has come over to ask.
She takes her eyes off Murphy and meets my gaze. ‘So?’ she asks.
‘OK,’ I say in a small voice. Just as my heart starts to soar at the possibility of going to Australia, a thought comes crashing into my brain. ‘But wait, I’m not going to go to Australia while you’re here having a major operation.’ I don’t voice what I’m thinking –she’ll need me – won’t she?
‘Come on, An. I have Mom and Dad.’ Millie shrugs her shoulders. ‘Please? I have to find the butterfly wrasse. All my work from the last year hinges on it. I’m convinced it’s out there. I have this feeling – I just know it.’
‘Can’t you go once you’ve recovered? Just call and reschedule. They’ll understand!’
‘It’ll be too late in the season. If the wrasse are out there, the warmer weather is when they’re most likely to be spotted. And I don’t have the money to throw at another trip.’
‘I’ll pay for it.’
‘That is so dumb. It’ll be winter there anyways. It’s now or never. I can’t wait another year. We have to look before they’re certified extinct for real.’
‘I can’t pretend to be you, Mill. I don’t have the training. Can’t you send someone from the lab? Send Bianca!’
‘I can’t send Bianca. I’m not even telling work I can’t go. If you find something we can use, I don’t want them second-guessing the validity because it’s from you and not me. Plus, I can get the tickets transferred to your name really easily. It’s not like I’m asking you to use my passport!’ Millie glares at me, daring me to challenge her.
I groan. Murphy trots along happily, oblivious to the plans hatching behind him.
‘There’s just one snag.’ Millie glances at me.
My lips form a thin line.
‘A snag?’ I ask.
‘Well, the boat I booked, the small one, it’s expensive and non-refundable and I can’t change the reservation, I’ve already called. All they check is my dive certification, and the picture is grainy. We look enough alike. So . . . you’ll have to be me on the boat. I know it’ll work.’
