“We’re good, Lily. Really good, and Steffy is getting better every day. It is so good to have our little girl home.” She said, smiling.
“So, Dane’s not here?” I asked quizzically. His mother looked puzzled.
“He left the cabin yesterday, heading home.” She said, her face clouding with worry. “I hope he’s okay.”
“I spoke to him just before. Maybe I got my wires crossed.” I said, forcing a smile. Something was going on, but I didn’t want to stir up trouble until I knew what it was.
“Maybe.” His mom agreed, not looking convinced.
“Mom?” Both she and I turned. Steffy stood in the doorway, wrapped up in a robe. She glanced at me, a small smile on her lips.
“Steffy, come here.” She patted the couch next to her. Steffy hesitated, then joined her mother on the couch, glancing curiously at me. “Steffy, this is Dane’s girlfriend, Lily.”
“Hi Steffy.” I said, smiling as my heart pounded. I couldn’t quite believe I was sitting here, face to face with Steffy. In the week since I saw her last, she looked remarkably better. Looking at her, you’d think she was just like any other teenager. It was only once you looked past that, and into the fear and uncertainty in her eyes that you realized she had been through something traumatic.
“You’re the one who helped find me,” she said softly, her words barely audible. I nodded, not really sure of what to say. “Thank you,” she added, her eyes sparkling with tears.
“I’m just glad you’re home, safe.” I smiled.
We talked for a little longer, when Dane’s father came in with the drinks and a selection of cakes and cookies. I was surprised at just how comfortable I felt around Dane’s family, even Steffy. We had been talking for nearly an hour, when I finally thought I’d better leave. I still needed to figure out what the hell was going on with Dane.
Steffy reached out her arms and embraced me. I hugged her back, not expecting such a show of emotion from her. “Thanks for coming, Lily, and thank you again for finding me.” She whispered. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Dane’s mother lift her hand to her mouth in shock. “I might go and lie down.” She told her mother. We watched as she left the room.
“That was the first time she has instigated any contact with anyone.” Mrs. Hansen cried, wiping her tears away with a tissue. “That was such a big step forward for her.” She walked with me down to the gate. “Thanks for coming, Lily. I know it meant a lot to Steffy finally getting to meet you.” We hugged again. Kissing me on the cheek, she opened the gate and let me out.
The whole drive home was spent with me trying to come up with excuses as to why Dane lied to me. I just couldn’t let myself believe that he had lied to me without a good reason. As I neared home, I found myself driving in the direction of his house. As I pulled up outside, I saw his lights were on.
So he was home. Why had he lied to me?
I was torn between driving home and crying over the possibilities, and running up to his door and demanding an explanation. I had no idea how to handle this. Before I could lose my nerve, I got out of the car, and walked to his door.
The look on Dane’s face when he opened the door and saw me standing there made me feel sick. Someone who looked that shocked had to be hiding something, right?
“Lily.” He said, his face white.
“Hi.” I said. “I went to surprise you at your parents.” I stood there, feeling like an idiot, but at the same time, angry for an explanation. What if this whole thing, him being in love with me had just been an act so I’d continue to help find Steffy? No. Dane wouldn’t do that. I refused to believe he could do that to me.
“Come in.” He stood aside. I shook my head.
“I don’t want to come in, I just want to know why you lied to me.” I said evenly. “Why did you tell me you were at your parents when you obviously weren’t? And before you try and tell me you just left their house, I know you left the cabin for here yesterday.” I so badly wanted to be able to control my emotions in front of him, but I was on the verge of losing it. I brushed past him inside, not wanting to cause a scene on his doorstep.
“If you needed space, all you had to do was tell me.” I said, not looking at his face. If I saw his eyes, I’d cry. There was no doubt.
“Lil, please let me explain-“
“So do it then. Just tell me, please!” I shouted, shocking myself and Dane by the tone of my voice.
“Lil, for fucks sake, let me talk!” He cried, grabbing hold of my hand and sitting me on the sofa next to him. He took a deep breath. “I was at the hospital yesterday, having a biopsy and blood tests. Something I need to have every six months to make sure the cancer hasn’t returned.”
I yanked my hand away, positive I must have misheard. Cancer?
God no, please, not again. I wiped my eyes, determined not to cry. What if he was dying? After losing Abby, I couldn’t handle losing someone else to the same stupid disease.
“Lil. Look at me.” Dane urged. I couldn’t, only able to stare at the coaster sitting on the edge of his coffee table. Dane crouched down in front of me, so he was in my line of sight, blocking the coaster from my vision. My eyes met his as I searched them for answers.
“Lil. I’m fine. I promise you I’m okay. I’m not going to leave you.” He held my hand tightly, with so much pressure my fingers were beginning to go white. I wiggled them softly, until he loosened his grip.
“Why a biopsy, then?” I asked. “They don’t just do that for no reason.”