Page 54 of We Can Forever

I blow out a breath. Poor Maya. I only talked to her that one time at school, but she’s obviously a sweet woman. Anything less than amazing things happening to her is a travesty.

“It’s okay,” I tell her. “You be with your friend. She’s lucky to have people like you all.”

“Thank you.” She sighs. “I really am sad that I have to miss dinner.”

“I know,” I say softly. “I’m bummed about it too. Let me know if you need anything while you’re there.”

“I will. Thanks, Michael.”

My name flowing from her lips is nearly enough to make me forget why I even came out to this porch in the first place. “You’re welcome. Talk soon.”

We hang up, and I take a seat in the wicker rocking chair. There go my plans for tonight. Now what will Katie and I do with all this food? I overestimated servings when I went shopping, and we have enough to feed a baseball team.

Maybe I’ll freeze it for quick meals during the week, and the two of us can grab some cheeseburger pizza. Without Hannah coming over, I’m now in the mood to get off the island anyway.

The back door opens, and Katie pokes her head out. “Grandma said goodbye.”

My lips blow out with an exhale. Of course she did, and that makes me look like even more of an asshole after kicking her out.

“When’s Hannah getting here?” Katie asks.

“Actually, honey, something happened to…her friend.” I don’t want to tell Katie it’s her art teacher. That would be too upsetting.

“Which friend?”

I press my tongue against my front teeth. What am I doing? She can handle this truth.

“Your teacher Maya. Don’t worry, though. Hannah says she’s okay. Hannah and her friends are going to spend the evening at the hospital so that Maya isn’t lonely.”

“Oh.” She blinks in concern. “Okay. We should take them dinner.”

Of course we should. Why didn’t I think of that?

“Honey, that’s a great idea.” Standing, I kiss the top of her head. “Let’s go pack it up.”

From the other end of the house, I hear the sound of the front door opening. “I forgot my purse,” my mom calls out.

Maya’s eyes light up. “I’ll invite Grandma.”

Before I can respond, she’s off at the speed of light, running into the house. I close my eyes and shake my head.

Great. So, this has turned into a family outing. An affair that should be private but is now everyone else’s business. Just like everything else on this island.

Why should I be surprised?

Chapter Nineteen

HANNAH

Sitting back down on the hard waiting room chair, I pick up my knitting needles—Devin was kind enough to run back to the shop and get our projects for us to work on while we’re at the hospital—but I haven’t finished two stitches before I set them back down.

It’s been over an hour since we heard anything about Maya, and I’m about to crawl out of my skin.

From her spot in the corner where she’s crocheting, Alexis smiles at me. The expression doesn’t reach her eyes, but it’s good to know that she understands how I’m feeling. We’re not in this alone.

Even though we’ve only been a crafting group for a few weeks, it already feels like I’ve known these women my whole life. I can’t imagine going forward without them.

Flashbacks of Maya outside Knit Happens return. The way her words slurred, her eyes closing as she went limp. We didn’t know what had happened, and thank God she came to less than a minute later. According to the doctor, she’d probably passed out from pain.

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