The drive down had taken its toll on Rachel, so when the Candyland board was pulled out after dinner, she opted to just relax on the couch while Paige and Grandma Tate played. She thought of how ironic and odd it was that, somehow, she and Grandma Tate had right around the same amount of time left to live. And if Peter was indeed out of the picture, what did that mean for the amount of time she and Grandma Tate might have together? As far as Rachel was concerned, Grandma Tate could spend a few weeks with her and Paige.

But there were other things to be considered as well, of course. If she had about a year or so left, how many of those weeks would she be able to spend working? How much of that time would she still have full and functioning control of her body? A year went by pretty damned fast, and she needed to make some hard decisions sooner rather than later. Right now, watching Paige giggle as Grandma Tate had to go back several spaces on the board, Rachel knew she wanted to spend as much time with her daughter as possible.

So Ill quit, she thought. Ill quit work. Ive got a pretty decent nest-egg saved up. I think it might work.

It was an irresponsible thought and it scared her. She figured she could work for one more month, maybe get another case or two under her belt. Shed likely have to tell Anderson and those over him about her condition if she hoped to have any sort of financial assistanceand that was yet another thing she wasnt completely informed on, either.

Rachel did her best to shut those thoughts out, trying to focus on Paige and Grandma Tate. It worked for the most part, and she was able to make it through the rest of the evening as happy and as normal as she could. Yet, when Paige retired to bed and she was about to tell Grandma Tate just how tired she was, her grandmother stopped her.

Everything okay, Rachel?

Yeah, just tired. That drive and then all of your games…it does a number on a girl.

You sure? I may be old and quickly coasting to the Great Beyond, but my brain is pretty sharp, still. I mentioned Peter twice today and both times, Page got quiet for about ten minutes, Sort of sad. So, I ask again…is everything okay?

Oh, yeah. Hes been working a lot and the last case I was on sort of took it out of me. Weve been bickering a bit here and there, more than usual. I thin Paige has just picked up on it.

Its amazing and sad how good of a liar you are, she told herself.

I think Paige might be a little scared of me, Grandma Tate said.

How so?