“It’ll be a moment before the doctor can speak to you. Please come with me.” She led us to a doorway opposite the room where Lincoln and his family went.

Jackie and I waited, huddled together on a teal vinyl couch for what felt like countless hours. Finally, someone opened the door. A man in a white coat appeared. A doctor, I assumed.

“Where are my parents? Why won’t anyone tell me anything?” Whatever measure of calm I’d gained from Lincoln’s presence had dissipated, and now I needed answers before I lost my shit and started screaming like Mrs. Riscoff.

“You’re the Gable family? I’m Dr. Frances.”

“Please tell us something,” Jackie replied. “We’re both going out of our minds.”

He nodded solemnly. “Mr. and Mrs. Gable were involved in a car accident earlier this evening. We don’t have all the details about the incident, but—”

Static ramped up in my ears. I could see it on his face. I knew what he was going to say.

“Oh my God.” My voice broke on a sob. “No. No.”

His expression turned grim. “We did everything we could, but we were unable to resuscitate either of them. I am so very sorry for your losses.”

Pain and disbelief tore through me as tears blinded me. They can’t be gone. It’s not possible. My lungs seized, and I couldn’t breathe.

“No. No. No.”

Jackie’s arms wrapped tighter around me as she rocked me from side to side.

“This can’t be happening. This isn’t real. They’re not—”

“I’m so sorry, Whit.” Jackie’s voice cracked. “So sorry.”

“I’ll give you both some time, and when you’re ready, if you would like, I can take you back to say your good-byes.”

Good-byes? No.

Visions of their sheet-covered bodies invaded my brain, and I bolted for the trash can and dropped to my knees, dry heaving.

“I can’t do this.”

Jackie pulled my hair away from my face. “I’m so sorry, sweet girl. I’m so sorry.”

I stayed on my knees, watching my tears drip onto the black plastic trash bag, and wondered if anything would ever be right in my world again.

Then I thought of my brother. “Oh my God. We have to tell Asa.” My entire body trembled. “God, how do I tell him? What do I tell him?” My tears came harder and faster, and Jackie helped me to my feet.

As soon as I was upright, another realization slapped me in the face. I don’t know what happened to Lincoln’s father.

“Oh my God. I didn’t ask about Lincoln’s dad. I have to know if he’s—”

I rushed toward the door and tried to yank it open, but Jackie slammed it shut.

“You need to listen to me, Whitney. We’ve got our own mess of problems to deal with right now. You need to let the Riscoffs handle their own. I think it’d be best if you stay far away from that boy and his family. Nothing good can ever come of it.”