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She chewed her lips. It was early morning in Chicago, so unless they were having a sleep-in, which they’d never done in her life, something was wrong.
Lily called the housephone, and it just rang.
A chill crept down her spine.
She flipped her legs over the bed and stared at the wall, her heart pounding.
It’s fine, it’s fine. They are probably sleeping.
“Fuck,” she muttered, knowing they weren’t.
Counting to thirty, she tried her mom’s phone again. Finally, she answered.
“Mom. Jesus. You frightened me.” Lily smiled. “I’ve been calling. God, I was freaking out. I know,calm down, Lily. But you know. I’m here in Hawaii. Freaking out.”
“Hi, Lily.” Her mom’s voice was quiet.
No.
“Mom?”
“It’s okay, darling. We’re at the hospital with your dad.”
Lily stood up abruptly. “What? When?”
Her mom began to speak, but she interrupted, her brain exploding with the worst-case scenario.
“When. Why? What... is what happened?”
“Breathe. I’m here with your dad. We had to call an ambulance during the night.”
Oh, my God.
“Why didn’t you call me?” she screeched, her voice breaking like a teenage boy.
There was silence.
“Mom...” Tears filled her eyes. “Is he dead?”
“No, baby girl. No. But it won’t be long, they think. I’m sorry, I wanted you to enjoy your holiday.”
Lily almost vomited.
Her legs gave way underneath her, and she collapsed back on the bed.
“You don’t get to make that decision,” she cried as Emma came flying into her room, blinking awake.
Lily figured she’d made a lot of noise.
More than before.
“What is it?” Emma asked quietly.
“Dad’s in the hospital,” Lily said, sobbing.
Emma took the phone and put it on speaker. “Mrs. Peterson, I’m here with Lily. What’s happened?”
“Hello, Emma sweetheart. It’s his liver. His body is giving up. Lily, it’s time, and I’m sorry I didn’t call. I wanted to save you this pain and guilt, being so far away.”
