Page 24 of Sunset on the Solstice

“That’s fantastic news,” Rebecca said, her voice bright.

“Yeah,” Lily echoed, although Shelby guessed they didn’t know what else to say.

Back at home, after a celebratory pre-Thanksgiving dinner, Shelby, Lily, and Chad stayed up late, watching old comedies and drinking wine. At first, Shelby had the sense that Chad and Lily were uncomfortable around her, although Shelby couldn’t guess why. Were they angry that she’d fallen in love with someone? Wasn’t falling in love what she was supposed to do at this age? Hadn’t Lily tried desperately to pair Shelby up with someone?

After Chad headed to bed, Lily lowered the volume on the film and looked at her. “So I guess you and Jared are back together? Like, fully back together?”

Shelby was taken aback. “I mean, yeah.”

“It’s just that you guys broke up, right?” Lily asked.

“Not really.” Shelby struggled to peel back the layers of time to see August for what it was. It seemed so long ago now.

“You didn’t talk for a while,” Lily tried to remind her. “Does he remember that?”

“When he woke up, he was so happy I was there,” Shelby said softly. “And I was so happy to be there. We’re lucky we got a second shot at this, I think.”

Lily nodded, her eyes narrowing. “And what’s going on with school?”

Shelby bristled. “School’s fine, too. I’ve been writing papers and stuff from Boston. And reading as much as possible while Jared rests.”

“And your professors are cool with you missing so many classes?” Lily asked.

“Yeah,” Shelby lied. Of course, she hadn’t spoken to her professors at all in weeks.

“Can I ask one more thing?”

Shelby flared her nostrils and didn’t answer. She knew her sister. She knew she couldn’t stop her from being nosy.

“Remember what his mom said about personality changes?” Lily went on. “Have you noticed anything like that?”

“No,” Shelby snapped, glaring at Lily. She needed to know she’d taken it too far.

“Right. Okay. I’m sorry.” Lily raised her hands, then got up to grab a glass of water. “We’re just worried about you, is all.”

Shelby didn’t respond.

The following day was Thanksgiving. Shelby did her best to evade questions about school, although it was difficult, especially given how excited most of them were about her academic career. She spoke often about Jared, about how they’d introduced solid foods, about how his parents planned to pack an entire Thanksgiving feast for him today “just in case he wants it.”

As the hours passed, Shelby felt increasingly guilty for being here with her family rather than at the hospital with Jared.

A few minutes after eating a slice of pumpkin pie, Shelby went to her bedroom upstairs and called Jared. He answered darkly, “Hello?” He sounded as though he didn’t know who was on the other line, although of course he did.

“Jared, hi. Happy Thanksgiving,” Shelby said. “How are you feeling?”

Jared let a moment pass before he answered. “Mom and Dad just left. I guess I’m feeling lonely, to be honest with you.”

Shelby pictured him in that hospital room, maybe with the television on. She pictured his hospital gown and his sallow face, which she’d once known to be so tan and handsome.

“I’m so sorry, Jared,” she breathed. “I should be there with you.”

“I hope you don’t make that mistake again,” Jared said.

Shelby could hardly breathe. She realized she’d betrayed the only person who needed her more than anything. How had she let this happen?

Hurriedly, she tried to fix it. She apologized again and again, praying for peace. Finally, maybe ten minutes later (although it felt like forever), Jared said, “It’s all right. I know you’ll make it up to me.” And Shelby promised she would.

The following morning, Shelby left Nantucket, telling her mother, sister, and brother that she needed to get back to Columbia as soon as possible to prepare for finals. Lies came out of her left, right, and center, so much so that she couldn’t keep track of them anymore. Once on the mainland, she went immediately to the hospital, where she found Jared and his parents sitting quietly in Jared’s room. The television was off, and it felt as though nobody had spoken for a while. Shelby had the strangest feeling that there had been an argument.