Page 23 of Reeves

The paper inside is pale pink, folded once down the middle. Charli’s handwriting stretches across the page in the same neat, deliberate script I remember from a hundred notes she used to leave on my truck.

For a second, I just look at it. Then I start to read.

Reeves,

I heard you’re leaving town soon. You never told me, but news travels fast around here.

I’m not writing to change your mind. We both know the life you want, and I know I’m not part of it.

There’s something you deserve to know before you go.

I’m pregnant.

I found out last week. You should also know that I’m keeping the baby.

I remember what you said the last time we had a scare, and I know where you stand on things like this. I’m not asking you to stay, and I’m not expecting anything from you. I’ll figure it out.

But this is your child, and I didn’t think it was right for you to leave without knowing.

If you want to reach out, you can. If you don’t, I’llunderstand.

— Charli

My legs give out.

I sit on the edge of the bed and read it again.

I'm pregnant.

The room doesn't change. The walls stay where they are. The same dresser, the same window, the same house I grew up in.

I'm still holding the letter.

Did she have the child? The kid on the bike. The dark hair. The chin. The way he set his jaw when he concentrated.

My hand won't stop shaking.

All this time, I thought I had walked away cleanly, closing the door.

Instead, there’s a whole life out there that started the moment we closed that door.

SIX

Charli

The Snare:Enters after the bass. The steady beat is a sound that will not allow you to stand still.

I sitacross from Dr. Henderson at the polished conference table, my notebook open and pen ready. The air smells faintly of citrus and new carpet.

Everything in the MidSouth office is deliberately bland. Beige walls. Abstract watercolors. Even the pens have the logo perfectly centered.

"Thank you for coming in, Ms. Parsons." Henderson offers a practiced smile. "We're excited about the possibility of bringing Pediatric Therapy Solutions into our network."

I nod. "I appreciate the offer. I have some specific questions about the details, as you saw from my email. I'm eager to understand this fully before making any decisions."

"Of course." He spreads the proposal folder between us. "$150,000 for the practice acquisition, plus the guaranteed salary package that's comparable to what you currently earn. Hopefully more. We also have annual increases."

The numbers look good on paper. I can almost hear Mom's voice asking what happens after they own my practice.