“I’m not gonna work this summer. I’ll be home.”

“You can’t put your life on hold, honey,” Kate said quietly. “That’s not how this is going to work. You said a summer job would help you get into USC anyway.”

Marah shrugged, looked away. “I decided to go to UW, like you and Aunt Tully.”

Kate worked to keep her voice level, to imply that this was simply an ordinary teen/parent talk and not a glimpse of the rocky future. “The USC drama school is the best around.”

“You don’t want me that far away.”

That was true. Kate had gone out of her way to tell her defiant daughter that California was too far away and that drama was not a smart major.

“I don’t want to talk about college,” Marah said, and Kate let it go for now.

Their conversation drifted into other ports. For the next hour, they just talked. Not about It, the big thing on the horizon and how it would change them all. Instead they talked about boys and writing and the movies that were out.

“I got the lead in the summer play,” Marah said after a while. “I wasn’t going to try out because you were sick, but Daddy said I should.”

“I’m glad you did. I know you’ll be amazing.”

Marah launched into a long monologue about the play, the costumes, and her part. “I can’t wait for you to see it.” Her eyes widened in realization of what she’d said, the subject she’d unintentionally broached. She slid off the bed, looking desperate to change the subject. “I’m sorry.”

Kate reached up and touched her cheek. “It’s okay. I’ll be there.”

Marah stared down at her. They both knew it could end up being a broken promise. “Remember when I was in middle school and Ashley stopped being my friend and I didn’t know why?”

“Of course.”

“You took me out to lunch and it was like we were friends.”

Kate swallowed hard, tasting the bitterness of tears in the back of her throat. “We’ve always been friends, Marah. Even when we didn’t know it.”

“I love you, Mom.”

“I love you, too.”

Marah wiped her eyes and bolted out of the room, closing the door quietly behind her.

It opened a moment later, so fast Kate barely had time to wipe her eyes before she heard Tully say, “I’ve got a plan.”

Kate laughed, grateful to be reminded that life could still be funny and surprising, even now. “You always do.”

“Will you trust me?”

“To my everlasting ruination, yes.”

Tully helped maneuver Kate into the wheelchair and wrapped her in blankets.

“Are we going to the North Pole?”

“We’re going outside,” Tully answered, opening the French doors that led out to the deck. “Are you warm enough?”

“I’m sweating. Grab that pouch off the nightstand, will you?”