“No, I’m in Burlington. I flew home tonight.”

“You’re not really going to do this, are you?”

“Yes,” he said with a sigh, “I really am, and I don’t want to fight about it.”

“I’m so sorry he’s put you in this position.”

“He’s sick, Mom. He didn’t set out to corner me into doing something for him. It’s a medical procedure. I’ll do it and be done with it. I’ll hope it works and that he regains his health. That’ll be the end of it for me.”

“Do you have to see him?”

“I don’t think so.”

“I really hope not.”

“Look, Mom, I know you’re understandably wound up about this, but I don’t want you to worry. It’s a two-hour procedure for me, and that’s that. I’ll go on with my life without having to feel guilty that I let someone die when I could’ve done something about it.”

“I’ve been reading about it, and you’ll need to take it easy for a week afterward. You should come home. I’ll look after you.”

“Thanks, but I’m going back to New York as soon as I can.”

After a long pause, she said, “Okay, then.”

“I’ll let you know what’s going on after the meeting tomorrow.”

“I’ll speak to you then. Grayson…”

“Yeah?”

“You’re a good man, a better man than he’ll ever be. Even though I wish you didn’t have to do this, I admire you for being willing.”

“Thanks, Mom. Love you.”

“Love you, too. Sleep well.”

After ending the call, Grayson got out of the car and retrieved his suitcase from the trunk. At the front door, he punched in his aunt and uncle’s anniversary and gained admission to the house. He’d talked to his uncle earlier, and Linc had told him to make himself at home at the lake house for however long he needed to be in Burlington.

Grayson empathized with his mom in this situation. In her shoes, he’d feel the same way about a child of his doing something to save the life of the parent who’d abandoned him. She had every good reason to be upset, but that wouldn’t stop him from doing the right thing and then getting back to Emma as soon as he could.

Emma flew to Burlington on Friday morning. She’d timed her arrival to coincide with Grayson’s procedure so she could be there when it was over. He’d called her early that morning, and she could tell he was nervous, even if he tried to hide that from her by repeatedly telling her it was no big deal and she shouldn’t worry about him.