She held back her tears. All she could do was smile at him because the truth was she didn’t know. The truth was she was scared to death at the prospect of losing her son.

“I just know.”

That was over a year ago.

Since then Lee’s medical team had set him up for treatment at his home with a dialysis machine and an osmosis machine. Some days were good for him, others were not. All in all, Lee was a fighter. He was strong. She drove to Seattle almost every other week to look in on him and help Eileen with the kids. Sometimes she took Tipper with her. The kids loved him and he loved the kids.

Everybody was coping, everybody was brave.

Now, as Ren’s apple pies baked, she kneaded Tipper’s neck and looked out the window wondering how much more hardship her family was supposed to take.

She glanced at the clock and whispered another prayer for Lee.

Day by day, minute by minute, time was ticking down on him.

-Chapter 30-

Southern Alberta

Little by little, after he and Cathy had divorced, Fortin had tried to repair his life.

But it was so damn hard, it was almost futile.

One night, consumed with despair, he was contemplating ending everything, was actually considering the method, when his phone rang. His first impulse was to ignore it but something had urged him to answer.

“Hello, is this Mr. Will Fortin?”

The voice on the line had been upbeat and belonged to a young woman.

“Yes, who’s calling?”

“Mr. Fortin, my name is Maggie, and I was hoping to discuss with you ways that are guaranteed to save you money on your energy bills.”

Fortin didn’t respond.

“Mr. Fortin?”

“I’m not interested.”

“I understand, sir, but with Mountain Sky Vista’s new consolidation plan we guarantee you a minimum of twenty-five—”

“Did you hear me, Maggie? I said I’m not interested.”

Maggie didn’t speak.

A few seconds passed then Fortin had pulled the phone from his ear to hang up on Maggie when he’d heard her say: “Sorry to have bothered you,” just before she’d started to cry.

Fortin hesitated thought then he brought the phone back to his ear.

“Sorry,” he said.

“Mr. Fortin,” Maggie said, “I’m just trying to do my job, so I can pay my bills.”

“You’re right, I was rude and I’m sorry. I apologize.”

But Maggie couldn’t help it and had let go.

“I got a little boy, you know. He’s sick and needs special therapy. My husband left us with a pile of bills. He won’t pay child support and I’m behind in my rent. This is the only job I could get. It’s hard, you know?”

“I know.”