CHAPTER 14

Aaron

I hear her voice downstairs.

Because I started my day on the farm early this morning, I allowed myself some time to work on the game design this afternoon. However, I hadn’t expected the sound of her voice would mess with my focus this much.

It’s been a week since Wren and I discussed her diagnosis—or at least the diagnosis she will likely one day receive. The morning after her revelation, I drove her back to Sonder Hill mostly in silence. The discussion we’d had the night before hung heavy between us, and while I wished I could say something, my mind was too overwhelmed to think of the right thing to say.

She didn’t seem bothered by the silence. In fact, she didn’t seem bothered by anything. Her expression was neutral when I picked her up, and it stayed that way the whole ride. As if she hadn’t dropped a bomb on me the day before. As if she wasn’t troubled by it at all. I guess she’s had a lot of time to wrap her head around it, but still. If I was in her shoes, I don’t think I could ever accept a thing like that. I would spend my life thinking of all the things I would eventually miss and would be constantly angry. She’s clearly a better person than me.

When we arrived at my parents’ house that day, she got a phone call almost as soon as we stepped out of my SUV—her car was finally ready. She then left with a quick goodbye and has worked in Boston ever since. Today’s the first time she’s back. She met with the hospital’s lawyers for the first time this morning. I’m letting my parents discuss things with her first—both because I know I tend to monopolize the conversations when I’m there, and I want them to have the chance to ask all they want to ask, and because I want to delay seeing her again as long as I can.

“¿Aarón?” Ma calls from downstairs. I asked her earlier to let me know when they were done.

All right, time to do this.

After releasing a short breath, I get out of my so-called office and walk down the stairs.

And there she is.

My jaw tightens as I look at her. Her glossy, dark hair. The small pearl studs on her ears. The pressed blouse she’s wearing. The calm look in her almond-shaped eyes.

I was right to be scared of seeing her again. Because right now, the only thing I can think about as I look at her is how unfair it is that something so bright will eventually dim.

Her gaze flits up to me. “Hey.”