Page 83 of The Song We Lost

Rachel answers on the second ring.

“I was expecting this call,” she says gently.

“She has Stage IV pancreatic cancer,” I blurt out.

There’s silence on the other end, until Rachel finally says, “I’m so sorry,”

“I’m staying,” I tell her. My voice doesn’t shake. It surprises me. “I don’t care what the label says. I don’t care about recording schedules. I’m not leaving.”

“I’ll try to buy you time,” she says immediately. “I can stall. They don’t need details.”

I close my eyes, picturing the absolute chaos that would descend if anyone got wind of this.

“They can’t know,” I say. “I don’t want anyone to know.”

“They won’t,” she promises. “Just… tell me what you need.”

I look through the window at Sadie. She’s laughing at something Noah just said, one hand absently rubbing her stomach.

“I need options,” I whisper. “I need every specialist. Every trial. Every hospital that has ever treated this.”

“I’ll start compiling,” Rachel says. “Send me her doctor’s name.”

“I’m going with her today,” I tell her. “Scan first. Then oncology.”

There’s a pause.

“Bailey,” Rachel says carefully, “This year has been hard on you, are you sure you’re ready for that?”

No.

But that doesn’t matter.

“I’m her sister,” I say. “I have to be ready for whatever comes next.”

When I hang up, I press my palm against the porch railing and let the wood dig into my skin.

The drive to Summit City feels longer than usual. Sadie sits in the passenger seat, scrolling through baby name lists on her phone like this is any other appointment.

“Do you hate Isla?” she asks suddenly.

I blink.

“What?”

“Isla,” she repeats. “Or maybe Maeve. Something strong but soft.”

Cole’s hands tighten on the steering wheel.

“You don’t have to decide today,” he mutters.

“I know,” she says brightly. “But we get to find out today. That’s exciting.”

Find out.

The baby.

A girl or a boy.