I twisted the knob and stepped out, wrapping the towel around my waist. My reflection was blurred in the steam-covered mirror. I wiped the fog away with my palm, leaving a rainbow-shaped smear that allowed a less blurry version of me gazing back.

“You’re fucked,” I said.

“No you’re not,” Reese called from the room.

I brushed my teeth, pulled on the boxers, T-shirt, hoodie, jeans and socks Reese had brought, snapping off the tags and peeling off the stickers.

I opened up the door and stepped out, in awe of what Reese had done in the time I was in the bathroom.

“Wow,” I said.

“It doesn’t smell like a morgue anymore.” She sat, letting her wrists hang off the ends of the armrests.

“Thank you,” I said, rubbing my neck. Now that I didn’t feel like a piece of furniture, I was embarrassed about the state of my room. “Why did you owe me again?”

“Fish,” she said simply. “He told me you made the call not to leave him behind.”

“It was Naomi who…” I trailed off, just her name causing a sick feeling in my stomach. I sat on the edge of the bed.

“Fish is my cousin, you know. His dad’s little sister is my mom.”

“Fish is your cousin? Why didn’t I know this? You’ve been Bobby’s mechanic for two years.”

“Fish helped get me this job, and he made me promise not to make it obvious that we’re related.”

“That makes sense. He’s good with the buggy when it breaks down. Is that where you learned about engines?”

She made a face. “I learned from the same place Fish did. My mom.”

I raised my eyebrows. “That’s cool.”

“I’ve been pretty good about keeping it a secret. But when he … when I heard over the radio the Alpines were in trouble, I holed up in the hangar so I could listen on the radio. It was torture, sitting on the concrete alone, waiting to hear if any of you were alive; if my cousin was gone, if Bobby was gone. It was quiet for the half hour before they found you. When I heard Fish was hurt, I made Bobby call in a favor.”

“Good ole’ Bobby,” I said.

“He flew after dark looking for you guys. He had more than one close call.”

“I didn’t know that.”

Reese stood. “Anyway, your room smells better and so do you.” She sobered. “I know you lost a lot when you were diagnosed, Zeke. But a lot of people, including your girlfriend, put a lot on the line to save your life that day. On a lot of days. So don’t waste it.”

She walked out, letting the door close hard behind her.