e cool wall. I could feel their eyes on my back. My fa

to walk toward m

d to fa

r mom... she's at a conference. Out of town. She told

. In my past life, it was a spa day. The excuses chan

ritical condition. The doctor said he needs th

hat are you talking about? A conference? What conference is more impo

rotecting his wife's lie and the ur

as about to happen. In my previous life, I had called her from the library, and she had dismisse

d the ca

Twice. Three times.

lief in his voice. "She's probably

again," I

number. The rest of the family watched, their initial impatience turning into a heavy, uncomfor

s face grew paler. My grandparent

said loudly. "Her own son is dying,

teenth try, the ringing sudden

n have a cha

aint sound of waves and seagulls in the background. Not a conference hall. A beach.

ear, just enough for those closest to

lly trembling a little. "It's Etha

ause. Then, a sigh o

h disbelief and annoyance. "Is this another one of your pathetic attempts to g

oice. "The doctor said the surgery is really dangerous. Th

ruining my vacation. You're ruining Ashley's vacation. She's been looking

eard Ashley's sweet, concerned voic

oming warm and loving. "Chloe is just being dramatic again. Don't

e spoke to me. "Don't call me again. I'm

ne wen

ce was ashen, a mixture of shock and dawning horror. He had heard it. He had heard the casual cru

ushed with a deep, angry red

single tear roll down my