As usual, Frankie is dressed like it’s date night, in a wine-colored dress shirt and dark skinny jeans and black Chelsea boots. He embraces Caesar and they hold each other tightly. “We came as soon as we could,” Frankie says into Caesar’s shoulder, then steps back, hands on Caesar’s shoulders. “You okay?” He glances at me with a heartbreak smile. “Hey, Susannah.”

I smile, not trusting myself to say anything—my throat swells with grief and my eyes sting. I don’t want to cry. Frankie is Ethan’s best friend and works for my uncle, just like his father Ruben did before he died. Of a heart attack, I remember. I shove that thought away and turn my attention to my brother. “Hey,” I manage.

Ethan stops just outside of hugging distance and my heart throbs painfully. This wasn’t the reunion I’d imagined. My plan had been to wait until I was sure Ethan wasn’t at home, then pick the lock on his back door—wouldn’t be the first time—and go inside to play with his dog Wilson until Ethan got home and I could surprise him. Stupid, maybe, but that was my plan. Now we are in a hospital and we stand apart, staring at each other. My brother is wearing athletic shorts and a faded green homecoming T-shirt from the Archer School, where he teaches. Usually I’d crack a joke, point out how Frankie is dressed for the club while Ethan looks like he’s been eating Doritos on the couch, but even I realize the moment isn’t right for jokes.

“Any word on Uncle Gavin?” Ethan asks. His red hair is mussed, like he’s just been woken up, and his eyes are haunted by some strong emotion—grief, or fear.

“Heart attack,” I say, and then the tears spill down my face and I reach up to angrily brush them away. That’s when Ethan steps forward and grabs me in a bear hug. I’m so startled I raise my foot reflexively, prepared to stomp on his instep and twist away. But I lower my foot and lean against my brother with a ragged sigh, allowing him to hold me up for a few moments.

“Is he …?” Ethan murmurs against my ear.

I shake my head. “They’re running tests.”

“The Lester family?” someone says, and I look up from Ethan’s shoulder to see the same exhausted doctor from earlier. There’s no blood on his scrubs. I’m not sure if that’s good or bad.

Ethan disengages from our hug. “I’m Gavin Lester’s nephew,” he says.

“Me too,” I say. “I mean, he’s my uncle. I’m his niece.”