“You never used to be a quitter,” she says.

“I never used to have a brain tumor. I’m going to die. I know that. I want to finish what’s left of my life in the way I want. It doesn’t make sense to me to do what you want. And I know it doesn’t make sense to you what I want to do. But what else is new? That’s the way it’s always been between us.”

“Chip,” Mr. Reardon begins, but his wife interrupts him.

“Say it,” she says, her chin high.

“Say what?” Chip’s voice is so quiet it’s barely audible. He’s staring down at his hands shoved between his knees.

“Oh, I think you know what.”

He looks up. “Ma. I love you.”

She inhales sharply, and I see her mouth start to tremble.

“I love you and despite everything I have always loved you and I thank you for what you’ve given me and are trying to give me now. But you have to let go. It’s time. Give me some peace, Ma. Please.”

I stare at my bag, at the mantel over the fireplace. Finally, I hear Mrs. Reardon say, “What exactly do you want me to do, then, Chip? Tell me. And I … I will help you.”

Here is the great privilege of being in this profession. What you see people do! How you come to understand what they are capable of, how huge their hearts are. And cracked open, how wise.

• • •

Chip packs a small bag to bring to my house. A way of formalizing what he’s already been doing. For a long time, on the way back, we say nothing. And then he says, “So.”

I smile. “So.”

“Here we are.”

“Yes.”

I make a right turn, stop suddenly for a child who rides his bike out in the street directly ahead of me. Chip rolls down the window, starts to say something to the boy, then doesn’t. I feel it, too. What will be, will be.

A few blocks from home, Chip says, “You know, it was driving me crazy, her pushing me to get more treatment. But now that she’s going to stop, I kind of miss it. It makes me kind of scared. Everything’s realer.”

“I know.”

“It’s almost like anger at her was keeping fear at bay.”

“Yes.”

He clears his throat, taps his fingers rapidly on his knee. “So. You ready?”

I look over at him. Nod.

• • •