How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

As soon as Elodie left, Maurice noticed immediately. "Why did she just leave like that?"

Jarrod glanced in her direction, spotting the untouched plate of food.

"Wow, some people really don't know how to appreciate kindness," Maurice said, shaking his head with a bored sigh. "She acts like she's doing us a favor just by being here."

Sylvie, however, kept quiet.

Of course she understood what was going on in Elodie's mind.

It was just pride-feeling slighted, thinking Jarrod was playing favorites. She was upset, and her wounded ego wouldn't let her stay any longer.

Sylvie glanced at Jarrod.

He'd already turned away, clearly not giving it a second thought.

She curled her lips into a faint smile. "When we're done eating, will you come for a walk with me?"

Jarrod nodded. "Sure."

It was Elodie's first time in Fairview Crossing, though her mother had gone to college here. On a whim, she decided to visit her mom's old campus.

She'd made a reservation ahead of time, so once she got through the gates, she wandered for a while.

Fairview University was one of the country's top art schools; her mother had studied oil painting here. Back in her day, she'd been the top student on the national entrance exam, and one of her paintings still hung in the university's gallery.

painting and stood before

used to say there were meant to be two companion pieces. Fairview University displayed one, but the other had gone missing years ago and

end, her mother was still thinking about that lost

find it, her mother's spirit would

her mother's work, lingering on

longing she'd been bottling

she'd swallowed lately rose up too, making

mother was

one left to confide in

with

were damp and rainy. The sky was already heavy with clouds, and she guessed it'd start raining soon, so she quickened her pace toward the exit, calling for a

the gate, rain began to fall in thin,

face. She hurried, lifting her

rain when, out of the corner of her eye, she saw Jarrod and Sylvie

They saw her too.

brow seemed to furrow

thought she was ruining his mood by bumping into them on their

mother had also graduated from Fairview, so of course she'd want to show Jarrod around her mother's

Elodie's ride arrived.

and

hotel, she started

robust; the slightest chill was enough

took her targeted medication first, then curled up under the covers for a nap. She had no idea how long she slept. When she woke, sweaty and groggy, she fumbled for

She dialed his number.