Page 230
“You told her?”
The room quiets.
Cal nods. “Yeah.”
“Everything?”
“Everything.”
Mabel looks at him for a long moment.
I suddenly feel like I’ve walked into something private.
“I’m sorry,” I say. “I know you didn’t want people to know. I won’t tell anyone. Cal explained why you wanted it kept private, and I completely understand.”
Mabel turns her attention to me.
“Are you going to look at me sadly every time you see me?”
I blink. “No.”
“Are you going to ask Callum for daily medical updates?”
“No.”
“Are you going to Google my condition and send me an article about turmeric?”
“No.”
“Excellent.” She settles back against the pillows. “Then we’ll get along perfectly.”
Cal laughs.
“I told you.”
“You told her what?”
“That you hate fuss.”
“I do not hate fuss.” Mabel looks offended. “I enjoy an enormous amount of fuss when it is about my birthday, my cooking or my appearance. I simply do not want illness fuss.”
“Important distinction,” I agree.
“Exactly.”
She points at me.
“See? Doctor.”
“Future doctor.”
Cal leans back in the chair, watching us, and there’s something about his face that makes my chest ache.
He looks happy.
Mabel waves him away. “Nobody asked you.”
A nurse appears in the doorway before Cal can answer, wearing navy scrubs and the patient expression of a woman who has already had this conversation several times tonight.
