But there was one piece still missing, floating out there, ready for me to grab it. If I was ever going to truly know myself, I needed to know all of me. And so I grabbed my phone off the floor, opened up my email, and began to type.

Anna,

It’s been a crazy week here. My mom is in the hospital after having a heart attack, which has been awful and scary, though she’s doing okay. I’m still trying to figure out how to make the career I want in interior design happen.

On top of all of this, I met someone. A guy. Un uomo. (I’m trying to learn Italian!) He’s not like anyone I’ve ever dated, and I ended things in the worst possible way. I hope you don’t mind me dumping all of this on you, but it feels good to tell someone. Plus, you’re Italian. You all know something about love, right?

I’ve never had a sister, or any siblings before. But knowing you’re out there is really bringing me some comfort tonight. I hope we get the chance to talk more soon and, who knows, maybe even meet one day.

Love,

Franny (your sister!)

Chapter Twenty-Six

Chapter Twenty-Six

Hayes

Eleanor stood with her hand on her rounded belly, eyes following me like laser beams as I walked into her new office and shut the door. She had texted me, Get in here, as soon as I’d walked in.

“I know what you’re going to ask, and I don’t want to talk about it.” My voice was hoarse, the result of not sleeping. It was impossible to avoid eye contact with her, but I could at least avoid the conversation.

“Oh, we’re going to talk about it.” She had that no-nonsense tone, which meant one thing: She wouldn’t give up on this easily.

I waved my hands in defeat. I sat down in the chair across from her desk. I had expected the way things ended with Franny to dull me, numb me, make me a shell. Instead, everything felt heightened, too bright, my senses exploding. I could feel every hair on my head, every fiber of cotton pressing against my skin. Losing Franny had only made me more aware of everything going on around me, everything without her in it.

“So on Saturday, you texted me and basically told me you had a girlfriend.” She leaned forward, elbow resting on her desk, chin in her hand.

I sighed. “I never used that word.”

“I bet you wanted to, though,” she replied, her voice all-knowing.

“And?” I replied, impatient.

“And then last night you call from a hospital in the middle of Connecticut and tell me you can’t go to Seattle because of her.”