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“Fourteen months,” Anya answers. “How do you know about the conditioner?”
“I learned how to upkeep my sister’s hair when she was little. I just thought…” It’s so like Iskander to give some practical advice as a way to say, I care.
Ever since we met, that’s been his MO, look after everyone but has he ever told anyone he loves them?
Anya pouts, almost melting, and so do I. The thought of Iskander being a caring big brother since he was young, makes my pulse beat hard. But I recover fast as I remind myself that despite how hot he looks holding a baby and how much he knows about caring for children, he resents his siblings.
That’s exactly why he can’t say, I love you or… well, be less cold with them.
I should tell him to keep his stories to himself, but instead, I say, “If you don’t mind, I’d like to get the ball rolling.”
Iskander nods, giving Rumi back to Anya. “We’ll call Fitz to get legal advice, and then we can reach out to Elroy.”
Anya lifts her brow slightly. “Who?”
“He’s a doctor,” Iskander responds, pulling out his phone from the inside pocket of his jacket.
“I have a doctor and can’t pay for any fancy treatment.”
“They have—”
Anya glares at him. “I also don’t want charity.”
She’s closing up, and I can’t allow that. “We’ll pay, okay? I told you I have money.”
“You need to think about your future.”
“It’s taken care of,” I assure her.
She rolls her eyes as I hear a male voice coming from Iskander’s phone. “Hello, Iskander Cantú. I heard rumors that you might be calling. I didn’t think it’d be this soon. How can I help you?”
“Your husband is a nosy man.”
“He’s proactive,” Fitz defends Lang.
“I’m with Siobhan and Anya, her sister. We need your legal expertise to help Anya keep her home…”
I tune him out as he brings Fitz up to speed.
“What’s the prognosis?” Fitz asks when I’m done telling him everything that has happened.
“The doctor diagnosed me with stage three before I started treatment,” Anya chimes in. “I have a few more rounds of chemo, but he also suggested some alternative routes that Medicaid won’t pay for.”
It’s the first time she speaks about her diagnosis and treatment. She’s been avoiding the subject since I arrived. Stage three isn’t that bad, but it’s cancer. An unpredictable illness.
“Are we looking into those alternatives, Cantú?” I recognize Lang’s voice on the other side of the line.
“It’s not his problem,” I say a little too forceful.
“From what we gathered, we’re discussing the future of a baby and the life of your friend—”
“Sister,” I interrupt Lang.
“Well then, I ask you to do me a favor and accept the help we’re happy to offer since you’re part of the family.”
Before I can ask him about this family he’s talking about, Iskander speaks up, “No worries, Elroy Brennan is my next call.”
“Or I could find you the best doctor and get you a jet,” Lang growls.
