Page 48 of Until the Last Star Fades

“Where do I start?” She sighed. “The scans, surgeries, insurance premiums, chemo and radiation treatments, drugs, transfusions, ER visits, transportation costs—they haven’t taken a bite out of her savings, they’ve devoured every scrap. We had to sell her car, most of her furniture—where does it fucking end?”

“Aw, Rye.” Piper leaned in. “I thought her place looked kinda empty.”

“And she’s one late payment away from losing her apartment. I can’t stand by and watch her become homeless. I had to do something.”

Casey squeezed his cup. “That’s so wrong. Cancer patients have enough to worry about—they shouldn’t end up bankrupt as well.”

“Mom can’t even declare bankruptcy—she can’t afford the filing fees.” Riley’s breath hitched. “And I feel so…guilty…”

“Why?” Casey squinted.

“A year and a half ago, when she got cancer for the second time…” She diverted her eyes to her phone, sitting in her lap. “I’ve never told you, but I was going to withdraw from NYU.”

“Seriously?” “What?” Piper and Casey’s words tripped over each other.

Riley blew out her lips. “I’ve always paid my rent and expenses, and I contribute a bit toward fees, but even with my scholarship and loans, it’s not enough. Mom pays what they don’t cover, but with no steady income… I couldn’t have her choosing to pay for college over heating her apartment or eating, so I decided to quit.”

“Wow.” Casey’s jaw dropped.

“That didn’t go down well. She tore up the withdrawal forms and said ‘over my dead body.’ She laid down the law and made a morbid joke.” Riley bowed her head.

“Maggie’s such a badass!” Piper smirked.

“She said savings were put aside for my college education and she’d never let her cancer stop me from getting a degree, but now she’s sick again and I keep thinking, if I had just done it…if I wasn’t here, I know she wouldn’t be in debt.”

Casey sighed. “And you’re fixing that by marrying PuckHead.”

“He gets what he wants…and I do, too.”

“Ahh, true love? Who needs it! It’s overrated, anyway,” said Casey, bumping her shoulder.

“I don’t think it’s overrated.” Riley looked weary. “And I do care about Josh. I did love him…once. Maybe I will again—” Her phone glowed with a text from Erika.

Rye! Check out this link for wedding invites—

She scoffed and turned her phone over.

“Ugh, let’s hope not. Save your heart for someone who’s worthy of it.” Casey locked eyes with Piper. “Look, promise me once your mom’s fine, you’ll divorce Josh’s ass.”

Piper leaned forward. “Rye, we get it. You’re doing what you think is best for your mom. We’ll support whatever you decide to do, but make me a promise, too?”

“You guys and your promises.” Riley smiled. “What? I use your mom as the divorce lawyer?”

Piper pointed at Riley’s phone. “Text Ben.”

“Why?” Casey scrunched up his face.

“I think he could help, you know, get your mind off things,” said Piper. “He’s not at Tisch and he doesn’t know anything about Maggie. He’s funny and he’ll make you smile—God knows you need that kind of escape right now. Plus, he’s basically alone here…I’m sure he’d like to hear from you.”

A chance to escape. A flutter tickled the heaviness in her chest. “Okay. Maybe.”

Piper giggled. “He wore Christmas pudding socks on our date. How cute is that?”

Casey raised his eyebrows.

What’s a Christmas pudding? Don’t ask Case. He won’t shut up.

The three friends sat quietly for a moment, watching the fountain rise and fall, soundtracked by the ‘oohs’ of overheated tourists and giggly children.