05
Caleb offered a reassuring smile. “What could happen to him? You know how he is. The slightest ache or pain and he acts like the world is ending, just so we’ll all fuss over him. Besides, his heart condition was cured years ago.”
Mom slowly shook her head, her eyes still clouded with worry. “You were with Leo when he was discharged after the surgery. You didn’t hear what the doctor told me. He said that a successful childhood surgery doesn’t guarantee there won’t be problems later in life. A lot of children with his condition need valve replacements as adults.
She was lost in her own thoughts, not noticing the way Caleb’s expression had frozen solid.
“Leo was always so clever,” she continued, her voice soft. “When he was feeling fine, he’d act mischievous to make us laugh, to put our minds at ease. But when he was truly sick he’d become so quiet. So good. I don’t know if you remember, but there was a time, he collapsed at school. I was terrified. I rushed to the hospital and asked him why he went to school if he wasn’t feeling well.”
Her eyes filled with tears as she looked at Caleb. “Do you know what he said? That boy… he said he knew his illness was serious, that he could die from it. And if he was going to die, he hoped it would happen somewhere far away. Not at home. That way… that
way we wouldn’t be sad. We wouldn’t be scared to come home.”
A sob escaped her. “Such a foolish boy,” she whispered, “talking about himself like an unwanted puppy!”
I floated in the air, wishing I could hug her, wishing I could wipe away her tears.
But I couldn’t
I really had died far from home.
Just like an unwanted puppy.
As much as I hated Finn, I couldn’t help but envy him. He had such wonderful parents, such a wonderful brother. Even his birth mother had looked out for him, risking prison in her final days to secure his future.
Caleb was silent for a long time, the muscle in his jaw twitching.
“He took a train to Seaport City,” he said, his face grim. “He’s probably here to ask for money.”
Mom looked shocked. “Why would he do that? He didn’t take the credit cards we gave him or any of the luxury items we bought
him when he left. Why would he come back to ask you for money?”
A flicker of uncertainty crossed Caleb’s eyes, but his voice was still cold. “His birth mother’s hospital bills are due. They’re about to
stop her treatment.”
“That’s because she’s being transferred to a better facility,” Mom countered. “Out of consideration for her raising Finn, we’ve alrea-
dy prepaid a significant amount for her medical expenses at the new hospital.”
The color drained from Caleb’s face. “Are you sure?”
“Positive!” Mom said, a small smile finally breaking through her worry. “Quick, call Leo. Ask him where he is. Tell him his dad and I
are waiting for him at home.”
I looked at my mother’s face, feeling both blessed and cursed. She was so good. If only I hadn’t died….
Caleb pulled out his phone and finally dialed my number.
As the monotonous ringing echoed in the silent car, I thought numbly. No one’s ever going to answer that again.
But then, to my astonishment, the call connected.
