So how do you want to do it? Rachel asked. She looked up into her rearview and saw that Paige was still caught up in her game, the earbuds still in. Still, if a quiet moment happened on the game, she may hear bits and pieces of the conversation. As of right now, though, she seemed fully distracted.

Ill be home by seven, he said. Ill bring pizzathe kind from Als Pizza that she likes so much.

You might get there before we do, but we wont be far behind you. A thought came to her, one that cut out her heart and nearly made her gasp in shock and surprise, but it made perfect sense. She chose her words carefully, not wanting to inadvertently fill Paige in on all that was going on between her mother and father if a quiet part came up on the game. Peter, I think you need to stay there. I should be the one to…well, to go somewhere else.

Dont be ridiculous, You can

No. It just makes sense. Youre right. I have this case and Im always on the go anyway. So for things to seem stable…yeah. You be the one to stay there.

Youre sure about that?

Yes.

And what happens if you get sick, Rachel? What happens when that tumor decides its time for you to go?

Weve still got a while.

And you know this means youll see less of Paige, right? You know you

Yes, I know. And thats okay for now. She felt herself on the verge of totally breaking down, and she knew she had to get him off of the phone in order to prevent it. Well talk more about it later. Bye for now.

And with that, she ended the call. Rachel knew that Paige wasnt listening in, but Rachel felt that she had to save appearances anyway. She spoke to the dead line, stating: Sounds good. Love you, too.

She then set the phone down in the center console and spent the next ten minutes staring ahead at the road in front of her, trying to keep more tears from falling.

***

Peter was still asleep on the couch when Rachel slipped out the next morning. Shed made a big production out of bedtime with Paige the night before, knowing she would not see her daughter before she left to meet with Anderson and Jack. Rachel slipped into her thin coat before leaving the house, looking back to Peter once more. She thought about going over to him and telling him goodbye, to maybe even suggest they try to talk things through when she returned.