He sat up, shoved his hands through his hair, and then rose to his feet. He looked her right in the eyes and said, “Listen, I get that you mean well, but it’s okay. You did it, you got me to adulthood. I’m now tired by eight P.M., mostly pay bills on time, and love ibuprofen. Happy? I can make you a certificate of acknowledgment if you like, noting that your mothering duties are hugely appreciated and have been credentialed, signaling the end of your obligation.”

This cut her to the very core, but she pulled a page from Cam’s book and remained calm, holding eye contact. “I’m well aware. Just as I’m also aware you’re acting weirdly defensive. Did you get another DUI?”

“No. Christ.” He started to stalk off, but stopped to look at her, into her, and she felt anxiety crawl up her throat and block her air passageway.

“What do you remember of Mom and Dad?” he asked.

This completely threw her. “What? We just talked about this.”

“No, I talked, you evaded. Because in fact, we never talk about them.”

“Gavin, where is this coming from?”

He sat back down, heavily, like his legs were lead. “I’m losing my memories of them and don’t want to.”

The air in her lungs escaped in one whoosh, and she sat down too. “Oh, Gavin.” She drew in a deep breath. “Sometimes . . . sometimes forgetting’s the only way to lose the pain.”

“Wow.” He shook his head. “That’s some serious bullshit right there, Piper.”

“It’s called a coping mechanism.”

“It’s denial, and trust me, denial’s bad for you.” He stood and walked off.

Okay, so once again, she’d said the wrong thing. She was getting really good at that, but then again, she’d had a lot of practice.

AT WORK, PIPER rode shotgun to Jenna. The day had been full already and it was barely noon. They’d patched up a trucker who’d picked up a hitchhiker and then gotten robbed and beaten up for his efforts. Then there was the contractor who’d stepped on his own shovel and gotten whacked in the face. Now they’d just left the hospital after a drop-off—a teenage pregnancy gone wrong thanks to an overdose.

Choices. It was all about choices, and every one of them had a consequence. Frankly, it was exhausting.

On the way to grab lunch, a call came through that had them taking off fast, following a fire truck to a multicar accident. They weaved and bobbed through traffic, Jenna being very liberal with her horn while muttering about idiots who should have their licenses revoked.

Reports were coming in about injuries, but no specifics, which meant they had no idea what they’d be running into.

Sort of the theme of Piper’s life.