pencils, and start drawing.”
“What should I draw?”
“Whatever’s in your heart. Whatever makes you happy.”
I smile. “I promise.”
We talk for another hour, and when I hang up the phone I’m strengthened anew by my enduring friendship with North. Once upon a time, he encouraged me to leave Twelve Oaks, to take flight, to find my way in the world. Without him, I don’t know that I would have found this life, the one that will always be a blessing.
The same evening I talk to North, Dean asks Archer to come over for dinner, followed by ice-cream sundaes and board games with the kids. Kelsey is away for the week, so we’ve decided to tell Archer before he hears the news from someone else.
Leaving Dean to talk to his brother alone, I get Nicholas and Bella into bed before returning to the living room.
Archer is standing by the fireplace, his hands at his sides and his face ashen. He turns his gaze to me, and the shock and grief in his eyes fills me with unexpected gratitude.
“It’ll be okay.” I cross the room to embrace him, suddenly feeling as if he’s the one who needs comfort.
“Jesus, Liv, I’m so sorry.” Archer folds me into his arms. “I don’t get it…I mean, you’re too young, right? How could this happen?”
Ah, the question to which there will never be an answer.
“Archer, it’ll be okay,” I repeat. “We won’t have the full pathology report until after the surgery, but it seems to be entirely treatable. It’s not a fight anyone would choose, but it’s fallen on us, and we have to deal with it.”
My matter-of-fact tone seems to alleviate some of his distress, which in turn makes me feel better.
“What do you need me to do?” he asks, looking from me to Dean and back again. “Name it. Anything.”
“You’re already doing it,” Dean assures him. “Just by offering.”
I ease away from Archer and squeeze his hands. “Thank you.”
“You need me to take care of the kids, do work around the house, give you a ride somewhere, whatever, you call me, okay?” He tightens his hands on mine. “Who else knows?”
“I’ve been telling my closest friends,” I say. “Allie and Brent, of course.”
Archer shakes his head, still in disbelief. “Kelsey.”
My stomach knots at the thought of having to tell Kelsey. “When does she get back?”
“Wednesday.” Archer looks at me, a crease appearing between his eyebrows. “I’m going to pick her up at the warehouse where they’re leaving the equipment. Do you want me to tell her?”
I glance at Dean. I don’t know if Kelsey would handle the news better coming from Archer or us.
“Can I go with you to pick her up?” Dean asks his brother. “You and I can tell her together. Is that okay with you, Liv?”
I nod, thinking I still have to tell the café staff, the teachers and aides at Nicholas’s school, and several of my other mom friends. It might be okay to let Archer and Dean be the ones to tell Kelsey.
As I explain the situation to people over the next few days, most everyone immediately offers their help, which is heartening and welcome. While we’re still doing fine on our own, I know a time will come when we will need help.
I just hope we don’t need too much of it, since that would mean—
No.
Just…no.
By Wednesday evening, I’ve told everyone who needs to know. I’m proud of the way I’ve handled every conversation, with a calm dignity and the assurance that I believe everything will turn out fine. I’m sure my friends know I’m scared, but acting brave helps me feel that way inside.
On Wednesday night, Nicholas and Bella are asleep, and I’m finishing cleaning the kitchen when I hear Archer’s truck rumble up the drive. My chest constricts. I have to be strong for Kelsey too.
I hang the dishtowel on a hook and walk outside to where Archer is pulling the truck into a space by the garage. It’s a cold evening, the lights of Avalon Street glowing through the grayish dark.
The passenger side door opens. Dean gets out, holding the door open for Kelsey. She jumps down, her gaze landing on me with the precision of an arrow.
She straightens her shoulders and comes toward me, her stride long and determined. Her body is sleek and lithe in fitted jeans and a black sweatshirt. The navy streak in her blond hair glows like a flame.
Kelsey March. My fierce, warrior-queen friend who confronts storms and looks as if she