Page 188 of Halo

Twenty minutes later, I’m sitting in front of the bathroom mirror wearing one of Nick’s T-shirts while he stands behind me with the electric clippers.

The buzz fills the room.

I flinch.

He immediately turns them off.

“Darlin’.”

“Just do it.”

“No.”

I look at him through the mirror.

He holds the clippers out to me. “You take the first one.”

“Why?”

“Because cancer doesn’t get to make every decision for you.”

My throat tightens.

I take the clippers.

My hand shakes as I bring them to my hairline, but I push them backward anyway.

A thick strip of hair falls into my lap.

I start crying again.

Nick takes the clippers from me and kisses the top of my head.

“You ready?”

“I’m scared.”

A little voice comes from the doorway.

“Are you scared?”

Grady stands there in his pajamas, pushing his glasses up his nose.

I wipe my cheeks. “A little.”

He comes closer.

“Will you hold my hand?”

He nods immediately. “Yeah.”

His little fingers slide into mine while Nick turns the clippers back on.

I keep my eyes on Grady while more of my hair falls away.

When it’s finished, Nick runs his palm carefully over my bare head before kissing it.

Grady studies me.