"Uh-huh." He leans in to press his forehead against hers again.
They kiss, again.
For a second, all the tension at the table melts. It's like w
e really are here to celebrate Violet and Ethan's engagement. Even Mal looks happy about it.
Well, he doesn't look miserable.
I lean in to whisper in his ear. "You need a breather?"
He shakes his head.
Mom leans back into her seat. "We have some news too."
Cameron shakes his head. "We should wait, Shirley."
"No. We can't wait." She looks to Piper. To Ethan. To Mal. "I'm not well."
All chatter ceases.
"It's my heart," she says. "We saw a doctor but we weren't in the city. He didn't have good equipment to say how much it's a problem."
"But…" Piper's voice breaks. "You're going to be okay."
"Maybe." Shirley's voice is steady.
"What do you mean maybe?" Ethan asks.
"It might be treatable. But with this onset, at my age." Shirley's voice is even, matter-of-fact. "Most likely, it's terminal."
25
Mal
The world goes quiet.
Everyone's questions run together.
What the hell do you mean terminal?
We watch medical shows together, Pipes. You know what it means.
But—
You're dying?
But—
How long?
But you—
We have an appointment this week with the best cardiologist in the state.
And that's going to help?
It might… Or…