But what if I was in Elowyn’s shoes? What if I really needed her?
“I’ll be there,” I tell her.
She breathes a sigh of relief through the phone. “Thank you.” She pauses before adding, “Idon’t know how to do this, Wilder. I don’t know how to say goodbye to both of my parents at the same time.”
My heart throbs. “You’re not saying goodbye to Dad.”
“I am. He’s not the same person he was before her diagnosis. He won’t be the same person once she’s gone.”
I still have my mom.
And that makes me feel both relief and guilt.
“I wish I had the answers you need,” I say. “But all I can tell you is to take it one day at a time. And if you can’t do that, then… I don’t know. Take it one hour at a time.”
She half-laughs, half-sobs. “That’s really good advice. Thank you.”
It’s funny how we change when we’re loved right.
A year ago, I would have run and hid from Elowyn in a shopping mall.
Now, I’m giving her advice like an older brother is supposed to.
My gaze lands on Ingrid ahead of me. She’s walking along the water.
“You’re going to be okay,” I tell my sister.
And for once, I actually believe it.
“I’d like to meet up for lunch when you get back from your road trip.”
“I’ll text you,” I say.
She laughs. “You better. Or I’ll tell Cash. He said he’d kick your ass if you didn’t show up.”
Cash?
“You’re talking to him?” I ask her.
She clears her throat. “He just checks in every day to make sure I’m doing okay.” There’s a beat of silence before she adds, “Just as a friend.”
Friend.
That’s all he better be.
“Tell Margot I say hello,” I say.
“Um…” Elowyn hums. “If you’re up to it, my mom would really like a chance to say goodbye to you.”
I swallow hard. “Can I think about it?”
“There’s no pressure, Wilder. It’s up to you.”
“Yeah, okay.”
“She’s waking up,” Elowyn whispers. “I have to go.”
Before I can say goodbye, the line clicks.
