room. All I could do was pray that by morning Harper would get over her anger and give up this idea of moving.
CHAPTER 16
Willa
Moonlight cast a golden glow over the track where I was set to walk my turn in the Relay for Life event. Mellie had finished her hour and walked the first lap with me.
“There’s something about the stillness of these early-morning hours, isn’t there?” she said.
We were fortunate, the weather couldn’t have been any more perfect. We’d held the main ceremony the night before with a huge crowd in attendance. The atmosphere was festive. Our event was small compared to those in larger metropolitan cities. But we were dedicated and eager to do our part in the fight against cancer.
The walk was held on the track at the local high school. The school band performed, and the fence was lined with colorful balloons. Bean There had a booth, and we dispensed samples of Harper’s special protein drink that she’d personally developed.
Dr. Annie kicked off the opening ceremony, reminding the community of our common goal, to cure cancer. We were asked to remember those who had lost the battle and to fight back against this disease that had brought grief and heartache to so many.
Harper led the victory lap around the field with other survivors from our community. I knew she was disappointed that John hadn’t been able to join her. He’d been unable to take time away from the hospital, seeing that he would spend the weekend on Mount Rainier.
Cheers rose from the stands as those who had been blessed to beat this disease into remission walked and waved to their friends and loved ones while the band played.
The track was crowded as men, women, and children from Oceanside gathered behind the survivors after their victory lap. I was busy registering those last-minute attendees before I joined Shirley and Alice to hand out samples of Harper’s special drink.
The most moving part of the evening was the Luminaria Ceremony, when white sacks with the names and often the photos of those who had succumbed to cancer were set with lights around the track. Dr. Annie read each name aloud and then spoke briefly, highlighting the latest research. Her words gave me reason to hope that the medical community would find the answer to wipe out cancer in our lifetime. Hope that no man, woman, or child would need to endure what Harper had in the fight for her life.
During the event, Harper had been in her element. Following her outburst from the night before, she’d avoided me. I hadn’t seen her all day until we met at the high school field that evening. That she hadn’t come into the shop after her classes told me she remained in a huff. I didn’t know where this anger was coming from and it upset me.
“It’s the quiet I appreciate most,” I said, my mind circling back to Mellie, who walked at my side. The smell of the ocean was potent, especially at this time of morning. Other than the moonlight, the field remained dark. Two or three families had pitched tents in the center of the field. The colorful balloons that marked the border of the fence swayed in the gentle breeze.
“Do you want me to continue walking with you?” Mellie asked.
She had a young family, and while I appreciated the offer, I didn’t mind walking alone. “I’m good. Thank you, though.” My gaze went to the luminaria bags at the edges of the track. How grateful I was that Harper’s name didn’t appear there. I prayed it never would.
Before she left for home, Mellie and I hugged. With a farewell wave, she jogged toward the parking lot. I could walk more than three miles in that hour. In years past I’d brought along an audiobook or my music to help pass the time. Not this year. This rift with my sister continued to plague me, and I needed to think it through. Something was going on with Harper and I didn’t know what it was or how best to deal with it.
During the ceremonies, no one would have guessed Harper was upset with me. She hid it well. I knew, though. When she looked at me, her smile was tight, and she hung with Leesa instead of helping me the way she normally would. She did exactly what I asked of her and was friendly and affable to all. But I knew, and that was enough to