“We’ve talked about college, so I know he wants to go, and Weston thinks he can get a scholarship, but he’ll have to do the travel stuff.”
I nodded. “Weston mentioned it. We’ll sit down and figure it out.”
“It’s a financial burden,” she said, her voice breaking.
“None of this is a burden, Miri, except that we won’t have you.”
Tears welled in our eyes. My vision clouded, making it hard to see my best friend.
“And for Nova?”
Miri lifted her shoulder again. “Her personality is just starting to shine. I’ve been waiting for her to tell me if she wants to take dance classes or play sports. I suspect she wants to follow Cutter, but she should do whatever she wants, ya know?”
I nodded and swallowed the lump in my throat.
“They might need some help.”
“I’m already on it, Miri. For all three of us.” They were losing their mom, while I was losing a part of me.
Another knock sounded. I stood and this time wiped my tears away, not giving a shit about my makeup. A trio of women walked in. I only recognized Samira.
“Hi,” Miri said excitedly. “What are you ladies doing here?”
“Well, Toni told us we’d have book club today, and since you’re here, we brought it here,” Samira said as she gave Miri a hug.
“Shit. Sorry, I forgot,” I said.
Samira waved my apology off. “It’s not like you’re not busy. Toni, this is Vera; she owns Petal and Vine, and this is Edith; she owns the General Goods store in town.”
“It’s nice to meet you both,” I said as I shook their hands.
“I don’t have my book,” Miri said.
“When was the last time we actually read a book, cover to cover?” Edith asked.
“Besides, we have more important things to talk about,” Vera added.
“Like what flowers I want at my funeral?”
“Miri!” I said, shocked at her statement.
Everyone went silent.
She shrugged. “What? It’s not like it’s a secret. Why can’t I plan things out?”
“You can, honey,” Vera said as she patted Miri’s leg. “You just left us speechless for a moment. We’ll do whatever you want.”
Miri eyed me with one of those “Now what are you going to say?” looks. I shook my head slightly and left to get some more chairs. Atthe nurses’ station, I asked for two more because I would just sit or stand by Miri.
When I came back, the four of them were in a fit of giggles, which was nice to see but also broke my heart.
“What’s so funny?”
“Oh, nothing,” Miri said gruffly.
“Yes, something,” Samira said. “She’s trying to convince us to set you up with our resident coach.”
I found myself rolling my eyes again where Weston was concerned. “Stop.” I covered my face as soon as I felt my cheeks heat up.
