“I’m lucky they could fit me in. Apparently.” She did not exactly sound convinced. “Look, I know this has been the farthest thing from the fun trip I promised—”
“It’s fine,” I said.
“—but I’ll make it up to you. We’ll do New York. It’s better in the fall anyway.”
She said this like everything would be back to normal by then. What if she was recovering from treatment? And why was I the only one thinking about this?
“What about the Woods?”
“The Woods?”
I tilted my head toward the hill, and the lights beyond. “Are you coming back for the estate sale and all that?”
“Oh.” She made a face. “Yes. I have to be here to sign papers.”
I heard an engine: A beat later, Liz’s van came into view. Kasey was in the passenger seat. “You’re still not going to tell them about all this?” I asked.
She glanced over as Liz got out, bumping the door shut with her hip. “No need. I’m just going to say I got called back for business.”
Her reticence was not a surprise. But I felt a flare of annoyance for my aunts. My allegiance, shifting again.
“I think you should,” I told her. “I mean, it’s obvious theycare about you. The least you can do if you’re leaving is to let them know the reason why.”
As I said this, I realized the volumes it spoke. She’d taken off on me, too, leaving a baby album but not an explanation. It sucked.
“Fine,” she said. The word was so quick, one syllable, that for a second I wondered if I’d misheard it. “But let’s get it over with.”
I was stunned. In no world had I really thought she’d agree. But then she was turning, setting her shoulders as if walking into battle.How weird it must feel,I thought,to always be fighting against something.
She headed down the dock and I fell in beside her. Halfway to the house, I saw a trio of hummingbirds ahead. They were circling one another, clicking and arguing, while still moving in the same direction. Such an inefficient way to cover ground, but they got there just the same.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Cancer?”Liz said loudly. “Are you serious?”
I had to give my mom credit. Despite her reluctance, when the time came, she was direct.
“Wait.” Anne spun to face me. After eating the burgers, we’d moved outside so the sisters could talk at the table privately, but of course it was anything but. “Cat’s sick?”
Ben, who had been strumming the guitar, suddenly stopped. Which made it seem even quieter as I said, “Yes.”
Lana whistled, low. “Yowza.”
“This is awful!” Anne turned to me, taking one of my hands. “You must be so worried, Finley.”
I nodded, wondering if this was another reason I’d been so insistent about her not carrying this news alone. So that I wouldn’t have to either.
“Is this why you came all of a sudden?” Liz asked now. “I was so annoyed with you! If I’d known—”
“—it would have eclipsed everything and we’d never have accomplished what we have,” my mom finished for her.
“Or,” Kasey said quietly, “we could have supported you while better understanding the situation.”
“I can’t believe you knew about this at Christmas!” Lizexclaimed. “How could you just ignore it? You know breast cancer runs on Mom’s side.”
It did?
“Liz, stop,” Kasey said. “Let her talk.”
