The beats and events of the case came easily enough, and she had never minded the act of writing a report, but she found this one painstaking. When she realized that it just wasnt going to happen, she checked the time on her phone. When she saw that it had somehow come to be 5:40, she didnt hesitate at all. She called the sitters number, almost opting for a plain voice call rather than FaceTime, mainly because Paiges little voice could be so loud. But, no, she wanted to see her kiddos face. Besides, the room with the cubicles was pretty much empty.

Paige answered on the third ring, with the screen aimed directly at her nose. Currently, it showed a close-up of her nostrils. Do you see my boogers, Mommy?

The laughter that burst out of Rachel was genuine. She got control over it after three seconds or so, biting at her lip to keep it in.

I do, she said. Theres quite a few bats in those caves.

Eeew, Paige squealed. You coming home soon, Mommy?

I am! In fact, just as soon as Mr. Jack is done speaking to someone, were going to leave and head back home. It might be later tonight, but I will be home. If I dont see you before bedtime tonight, Ill be there in the house when you wake up.

She didnt realize until after shed said this that it might not be accurate. After Peters decision to separate and to be the one to primarily care for Paige for a while, she wasnt sure if sleeping in their home was the best idea. If she had to, though, shed sleep on the damned couch.

Thats awesome, Paige said. Daddy said hes bringing burgers from Five Guys for dinner tonight. Want me to save you some fries?

Of course I do. Are you being good?

Yeah! I always am.

I know you are.

She stopped here, realizing she was out of things to say and that she was about to start crying. She had to tell Paige. Somehow, she was going to have to tell her daughter that she had about one year left to live.

Okay, go get back to your homework.

I already did my homework. Im working on some melty beads right now.

Oh no. You better not have them all over the carpet. She had to get off now or Paige was going to see her cry over FaceTime.

I wont.

Okay. Bye, Paige.

She hung up, the screen momentarily freezing on Paiges wide smile. She set the phone down gently and wondered how in the hell she was supposed to tell her eight-year-old daughter that she was going to die. The sad part of it was that shed need Peter to help. Hed always done exceptionally well with translating difficult topics into kidspeak.