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Dakota
We’re standing outside Aunt Carolina’s room. God, I hate hospitals, hate all the pain they contain. But this is my aunt, my mom’s sister, and as I hold Mom in my arms, I’m glad I came, glad my poor little car didn’t give up the ghost on the way yesterday.
Only thing that’s bothering me a little is that I haven’t talked to Zane yet. I called him from Mom’s phone several times—my cell has been declared officially dead—but he won’t pick up. Then again, Tessa, who gave me Dad’s message about Aunt Carolina, said Ash and the guys were going to the movies, so maybe they took him along.
God knows he could use a break. His sister’s sickness is taking a toll on him. He barely eats, barely smiles. It’s worrying me.
At least I hope he sees the note I wrote and stuck on the fridge. When I called Dad yesterday morning, he told me he called Zane and left a message, so hopefully Zane knows where I am, one way or another.
God, I wish he were here with me. I’m so sad about Aunt Carolina. She’s worse off than Dad told me last night. The cancer has spread everywhere. She’s dying as we speak.
“Darling girl,” she told me this morning, holding my hand. “I lived a full life. Did what I wanted. And I want my art exhibition to happen, no matter what. Will you see to it?”
And I said yes, because I’d do anything for her and because she makes me so proud. She did live a full life. Followed her heart, married for love, and when her husband died, she traveled around the world, studied and lived happy.
I want to be like her. Follow my heart. Trust my feelings.
Be with Zane. If he wants to be with me, too.
Dad comes out of the doctor’s room, his face drawn in tense lines. He pulls Mom into his arms and pats her back. “We’ll get through this, honey.”
I rub my hands up and down my arms. “What did they say?”
“The same. There’s nothing they can do. They’ll make sure she’s not in pain. We’ll bring her all she needs—her drawing supplies, her MP3 player. We’ll keep her company as much as possible.”
I nod. “I think I’ll stay a couple days here. Let me call someone.”
With Mom’s borrowed cell phone in hand, I step outside and call Zane. No reply. I frown.
Time to get a new cell. Meanwhile… I call Audrey to ask if she knows anything about Zane’s whereabouts.
“Hello?”
“Hi, girl! How is it hanging?” I grin.
“Dakota, is that you? I didn’t recognize this number.”
“It’s my mom’s cell. Mine died.” I start walking through the hospital corridors. I need to get out for a moment, breathe some fresh air that doesn’t smell of disinfectant and despair.
“Your mom’s?” Audrey sounds out of breath. “Where are you?”
“Janesville, at the hospital. My aunt is sick.”
“Janesville?” Something in Audrey’s voice makes me frown.
“Is everything okay?” I walk down another corridor. It’s a maze, and I’m lost. “Audrey?”
“Yeah, yeah. Just…” She huffs. “Is Zane with you?”
“No, why?”
“He’s not?”
“Audrey…” I stop in my tracks. “What’s wrong?”
“I don’t know. Tyler says he was acting weird yesterday afternoon, and then he suddenly left Damage Control without telling anyone where he was going. But we didn’t worry much, because you’re staying with him, and we thought… We thought he was with you.”
My heart starts to hammer in my chest. “Well, he’s not here. I haven’t seen him since yesterday midday when I left town.”
