Page 86 of Maverick

"On my way," Nick says without hesitation.

I make similar calls to Bree, Janey, and Abby. Within an hour, we're all at LOL Rescue, divvying up tasks.

As I'm refilling water bowls, Janey sidles up next to me. "It's so nice of you to take this on. I'm sure Cadence would have worried herself sick." She blushes and shakes her head. "That didn't come out right. She is sick. But the worry would have made everything worse." She scans the chart on the big white board on the wall. "How does she do all this alone?"

"She works all fucking hours. That's how. She needs to hire help. It's too much for one person."

"Agreed," Janey says, "but there must be a reason she hasn't done that yet. I'm sure as a non-profit she has to be careful with money."

I pause, considering. "Brash could make another donation. Enough to cover a full-time salary plus two part-timers."

Janey's eyebrows shoot up. "That's generous, but... Maverick, don't you think Cadence might be upset about you stepping in like this?"

I shake my head, brushing off her concern. "She needs the help, Janey. We can't let her run herself into the ground."

"I get it, but?—"

"No buts," I interrupt. "We're doing this. I'll handle Cadence if she has any issues with it."

Janey sighs but nods. "Alright. I'll start drafting up the paperwork for the donation and job postings."

As Janey walks away, I can't shake the nagging feeling that maybe she's right. But seeing Cadence so worn down, so sick... I push the doubt aside. This is the right move. She needs help and she's going to damn well get it.

With everyone helping,the evening chores are done pretty quickly. When I make it back to the apartment, I find Nan in the armchair near the windows, a table lamp giving her enough light to read by.

"How is she?" I ask, collapsing onto the couch nearby.

Nan shakes her head. "Still sleeping. Hasn't stirred a bit."

I nod, rubbing my face with my hands. The silence stretches between us, thick with worry.

"Nan," I begin, hesitating. "Can I ask you something? About your cancer treatment?"

She sets her book aside, giving me her full attention. "Of course, dear. What do you want to know?"

"How did you handle it? The whole process, I mean."

Nan's eyes soften, a small smile playing at her lips. "It wasn't easy, that's for sure. But Cadence... she was my rock. That girl pulled me through every step of the way."

I lean forward, hanging on her every word. "She's something special, isn't she?"

"More than you know," Nan agrees. Her smile fades, replaced by a look of concern. "I worry about leaving her alone, you know. I know it'll happen one day, but neither of us wants to hurry that along."

I reach out, patting her hand. "No, you fucking well better not. I'll be pissed."

Nan laughs, her eyes glistening. "Well then, I wouldn't want to piss you off." She makes a little growl of frustration. "I want nothing more than to crawl into bed with her, hold her like I used to when she was little. But she worries so much. I’m healthy you know. Right as rain. But I stay away for her, even if it’s the last thing I want."

I swallow hard, feeling a lump form in my throat. Nan's eyes meet mine, filled with a mixture of concern and curiosity.

"How are you holding up?"

"Me? I'm fine. Nothing to worry about."

"Did someone you know get sick? Really sick I mean?"

Flashes of red, screaming, flashing lights. I shake my head, willing the memories to leave, but they're close to the surface today. They're sticky.

"No. Not like you're thinking. It's dumb. It wasn't sickness. But she did end up at the hospital and…." How do I explain that everything is muddled up together? That anyone getting sick is as scary as the possibility of losing someone to violence. It doesn't make sense to me, so I don't even try to explain it to Nan.

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