Page 33 of We Can Forever

“Hey, sweetie. I have a surprise.”

“You do? What?”

“I’m coming to visit you!”

I try not to drop the phone. “You…uh… What do you mean? When?”

“I have a flight booked for tomorrow morning. Now, I know what you’re going to say, and I promise I won’t be a burden on you?—”

“No, I don’t think that. It’s just?—”

“I’m coming to help, Hannah. Your plate is full. That last flare sounded like it was really bad, and I know you were downplaying it for my benefit.”

That shuts me up, and I pull my lips tight. Yes, I did downplay it. But only because I don’t want her to worry herself sick about me when she’s on the other side of the country and there’s nothing she can do.

“I’m coming to help,” she repeats. “Not to be a guest or to expect you to entertain me. I can help at the shop. What do you think of that?”

Her help would be amazing. Of course I need it.

But Carol can be…a lot when it comes to her concern for me. Maybe because she’s retired now and doesn’t have a lot to do, or maybe losing her sister so young has made her afraid the same thing will happen with me.

I don’t know, but I do know that I could use her help, and I’m too proud to ask for it. “That would be nice. Thank you. I don’t want you to wear yourself out here, though.”

“I could never do that. You know me. I have more energy than I know what to do with.”

I chuckle. Don’t I know it.

“I’ll send you my flight info,” she says. “Don’t worry about picking me up from the airport. I’ll get myself to Pine Island.”

“You sure?”

“One hundred percent. I’ll see you soon.”

“See you soon. Love you.”

She sends a kissing sound and hangs up. Already, a bit of weight lifts off my shoulders. My aunt’s help around the shop will be invaluable, but I’ll need to be careful not to take advantage of it. While she tends to give endlessly, it doesn’t feel right always accepting her help. I would hate to be the reason that she gets burned out.

The door opens, and I look up from my laptop. Flick walks in carrying a basketful of new yarns. “Hey,” she says.

“Hi.” I close my computer. Is it really time for the crafting group to start? Where did the afternoon go?

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” I force myself to smile.

“Right.” She puts her basket down and shrugs out of her coat. “I know you well enough. Don’t tell me you weren’t just sitting here worrying yourself half to death over something.”

Sighing, I get up and start putting down the big cushions Flick and I picked up the other day, which are way more comfortable than the folding chairs I was using.

“Things are good. My aunt is coming to visit. She’s going to help around the shop.”

“Oh, really? That’s awesome! How long is she staying for?”

I laugh. “Probably until I force her to leave.”

My laughter dies down, and I remember just how fortunate I am. Not everyone has someone like Carol in their lives, and considering the fact that I started out as the kid of a single mom then became an orphan, I’m pretty damn lucky to have ended up with such an amazing woman raising me.

“So, things are good,” Flick slowly says, and I know there’s more coming. “But you’re still off. I can see it. What’s really up?”

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