“The last time you avoided the entire truth, we ended up not speaking for over a decade.”

Dani sighed. “I’m losing my vision.”

The words dangled between them as Ivy processed. “Like, you need better glasses?”

“Like, the glasses buy me some time, but by my midforties, I’ll lose most of my sight. It’s called retinitis pigmentosa. It’s genetic.”

“Who in your family had it?”

“I’m still not sure. I traced Mom’s family back, and there’s no blindness, but on Dad’s side, I hit a brick wall with my grandmother, Ann. No one seems to know where she’s from.”

Ivy drew in a breath, held it before she slowly let it trickle over her lips. “Shit.”

“My thoughts exactly.” She adjusted her glasses. “I don’t suppose there’s a bottle of scotch rattling around in this van somewhere?”

She ignored the comment. “But you still drive.”

“Only during the day when it’s bright. I stopped driving at night last year after a fender bender. If I’m lucky, I’ll be able to drive another decade. The hope is to make it beyond Bella’s sixteenth birthday, and then she can get her driver’s license and help out.”

“What about Bella? Does she have any signs of the disease?”

“None. I’ve had her to Dr. Zacharias once, and he thinks she’s in the clear. But we’ll keep monitoring.”

“Does she know?”

“About me? No. I’m not ready for that discussion. I want her to enjoy school and her friends without worrying about me. And she’ll worry if I tell her.”

Though Dalton had not said anything to Ivy about Dani, she was sure she’d have picked up on a worried glance or two, especially when the discussion of a puppy had come up. “You haven’t told Dalton or your father, have you?”

“I haven’t told them. Until now, I’ve not needed them. I’ve been able to make my appointments and modify enough to get by. But the days when I can function alone will come to an end.”

“Did they really put drops in your eyes today?”

“They did. I’ve known for a couple of months I’d have to get a driver today. And my friend really did bail.”

“I’m also assuming Matthew doesn’t know.”

“He does not. He’ll be the last to find out. I don’t need him micromanaging my life.”

“He does have a tendency.”

“Yes, he does.”

“He wouldn’t challenge you on your custody arrangement, would he?”

“I don’t think he would, but I’m not putting anything related to Bella to chance.”

“Why pull me into the loop?” Ivy asked.