Sybil, having exhausted herself in rage at Addie’s failure to intercept, fell asleep. She was pitifully thin, and Addie looked at her despairingly but held her tongue and did not respond to the anger. She stayed at the bedside until Sybil was awake again, hoping her friend had calmed down. Sybil, racked by weakness and discomfort, was still angry when Addie left, shortly after nine.

SUNDAY NOON, when Addie returned, Sybil told her she had made another decision.

“All these powders and herbs and leaves are bullshit.” Her voice was a harsh, accusing whisper. “You know that as well as I do. How could they possibly help me at this stage?”

Addie had to agree, but she was not prepared for what Sybil said next.

She wanted Addie to help her with a medically assisted death. Just the two of them present.

Was Addie hearing correctly?

“You know I can’t do that.”

“You can,” said Sybil, and this time her voice failed completely. She waited several moments before she tried again. She turned her face away and stared out the window. “I can’t bring my mother into this. She would never accept such a decision. It would break her heart. I want to die, and I want to die now. I can’t go on. I absolutely cannot. I have to do this while I’m competent to make the decision.”

“What do you suppose I can do? You have to initiate the process. I can let the staff know; I can do that much. They can get the paperwork started. Two doctors have to be contacted. All this will take time. The laws are more relaxed now, but there will be paperwork, signatures, a ten-day waiting period.”

“I can’t wait.” There was a long silence. “I can’t go that route because my mom must never know.”

“But what on earth can I do? Think of what you’re asking.”

“Bring morphine,” Sybil said in a new hard-edged voice. “You work in a hospital. You can get some in Wilna Creek. You have access to drugs.”

“I don’t have access to drugs. I work in administration, remember? And even if I did—”

“You’re in contact with people who do. You’re resourceful. I’m already taking the drug. If I happen to take more, no one will even notice.”

Addie had nothing further to say. She didn’t want to fight with her friend. But Sybil wasn’t giving up.

“I’m asking because you are my closest friend. Closer than any family member. I’m asking you to respect my wishes. You know there’s no one else I can turn to. Please, Addie, please. Won’t you do this for me? If you asked the same of me, I would agree in a minute.”

Addie recognized emotional blackmail when she heard it. She recognized utter and total despair when she heard it. The conversation required so much energy on both their parts, the two of them ended up in tears.

And that was how Addie had left Sybil on Sunday.