“What? You are.”
Tessa studied the ceiling. I answered.
“Yes.”
“Space ends.”
“Not always on a schedule,” I said.
“That seems inefficient.”
Dani almost laughed. So did I. The shared reaction made the air shift. Lola held out the foam dinosaur.
“This is for mile twenty-two.”
The dinosaur was an ankylosaurus with KEEP GOING written across its side. Dani accepted it. Her eyes went bright.
“I can’t carry this during the race.”
“Mom can hold it.”
“Then it’s for Mom.”
“It’s emotionally yours.”
I examined the dinosaur. The phrase was not ideal. Keep going was not always the correct instruction. Lola had added smaller words beneath it.
OR STOP SAFE.
Dani saw. She looked at Gloria.
“Did you help?”
“No.”
“Rose,” Gloria said.
Of course. Dani held the sign carefully, then met my eyes.
“I have something for you.”
My body tightened. She noticed.
“No conversation required,” she said. “It’s a race package. You can decline.”
Boundaries. Choice. I considered.
“Where is it?”
“With Gloria.”
Gloria lifted a small paper bag. I took it.
“Thank you.”
“You don’t have to open it here.”
“I won’t.”
