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"And I won't breathe a word of it, either," I close the distance between us and take her hands in mine, "I am so sorry for your loss."
One side of her lips twists. "I hated the universe for taking Ray from me. Then... I realized I should be happy that I had, at least, that much time with him. He was a gorgeous little baby; never cried, never troubled me at night. And when he smiled, it was as if the sun had poured its radiance over me. He was too good for this world, I guess." A tear runs down her cheek. "The stories we tell ourselves, eh?" She wipes her cheek on her shoulder. "So you see, I understand why what you’re planning to do may seem crazy, but why it also makes sense to me."
"Thanks, Cass." I squeeze her hands. "So, you'll help me?"
41
Seb
I come awake with a start. It’s dark in the room, and I blink, disoriented. I know I’m back in my room, and I remember eating the lunch Cass brought me. Later, she came by to clear my tray, and I fell asleep after that. I must have slept clear through the afternoon, for the light has faded outside. I reach for my lamp and flip it on, then check the time my phone.
It’s seven p.m. Damn. I must have been more tired than I realized. I sit up, and while there’s a dull throb in my shoulder, it’s not as painful as it was this morning. I ease my arm out of my sling and stretch it out. Pain shivers up my arm and I wince.
"Are you supposed to do that?"
I glance up to find Elsa hovering by the door. In one arm, she has Avery. In the other, she holds a familiar paper bag filled with my medicines. She walks over and places the paper bag on the table near the bed.
Avery fusses and reaches for me.
"No, baby. Seb’s still recovering from being hurt."
"I’m fine." I hold out the arm attached to my unhurt shoulder. "The sling is just a precaution, to keep me from moving my arm around. It helps it heal faster."
"Eb," Avery warbles. "Eb."
"Did she say my name?" I stare at the little girl, who smiles back at me, showing the gaps between her teeth.
Elsa looks at me, an expression of surprise on her features. "I guess she likes you."
"Me and Avery... We understand each other, don’t we, sweetheart?"
Avery all but jumps out of Elsa’s grasp. I rise to my feet and take her in my arm. She stares at me, then bumps her fist into my cheek.
"Or maybe, she thinks I’m a punching bag, of sorts." I chuckle.
She flattens her other palm against my mouth then warbles something.
"What’s she saying?"
"I have no idea." Elsa shakes her head. "This girl talks to anyone and anything. If she thought she’d get a response, I swear she’d talk to the furniture."
"You’re fu— I mean, very clever, aren’t you, doll?" I pretend to bite her finger and she bursts out laughing again. "You’re such a smarty-pants, aren’t you? So clever; such a performer. Love attention, don’t you, Bubu?" I realize I’ve called her by the same pet name Elsa used earlier.
Avery bumps her head against my chin. "Seb." This time, it's unmistakable she's saying my name. A flurry of emotions coil in my chest.
I lift her shirt and plant a raspberry on her tummy. She screams with pleasure, then laughs again. I glance up to find Elsa watching the two of us with a strange look on her face.
"What?" I growl.
"It’s just," she shakes her head, "you’re really good with her."
"Why do you sound so surprised?"
She pulls out a bottle of pills, then shakes off two and offers them to me, along with a glass of water.
I glance down at Avery and at my other hand, which, I hate to admit, is already growing tired since I slid it out from the sling.
"Here," she urges me.
