How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

He didn't leave right away.

Instead, he leaned against the car door, taking his time.

He reached through the open window and pulled out a pack of cigarettes.

Truth was, he'd never really been much of a smoker. Lately, though, with all the stress and his mood in shambles, it seemed like this was the only thing that helped him unwind, if only a little.

Especially in front of Elodie, he felt he had to keep it together for her sake. At the very least, he wanted to give her some sense of security. If he looked like the world was falling apart, Elodie's anxiety would only get worse. Anyone would be scared, facing an illness like hers. The last thing he wanted was for his own breakdown to make her feel hopeless about her chances, to push her deeper into fear.

So he stood there for a long time.

Long enough that his legs were starting to go numb.

Elodie's condition was unpredictable right now.

He hadn't yet earned her grandmother's and uncle's forgiveness, and he couldn't justify sticking to Elodie's side all the time.

There was no point in going back home-he wouldn't be able to sleep anyway.

So he decided to make do in the car for the night.

It was enough just to be close by.

If anything happened, he'd be there to help right away.

It brought him a little peace, too.

Still, he pulled the car farther down the street, so Elodie wouldn't see it and feel burdened by his presence.

After her shower, Elodie sat down to talk with Rosemary.

She understood her grandmother's protectiveness-how could she not? But still... "Grandma, there's something I should tell you." Elodie took Rosemary's hand and guided her to sit. “The doctor Uncle's been seeing—Jarrod was the one who found him. Uncle wouldn't be doing this well without Jarrod's help."

was right to keep that from Rosemary. It was simply the

her piece, she didn't push

Rosemary chose to feel about

She couldn't just pretend Jarrod's efforts didn't count, or that he

surprise. "Wasn't it you who arranged for

"No. Jarrod brought him in from abroad. Otherwise, we might

we owe him

against her grandmother's shoulder. "I just mean... what's past is past. There's no point dwelling on right

want her grandmother and uncle to stay trapped by

past couldn't be changed.

to death

she

didn't understand. Contes

Rosemary turned to her, searching her face. "Elodie, do you... still have feelings

a question

ached. She pulled Elodie into

her own life for her granddaughter's health, she would do it in

The next morning.

she spotted Jarrod's car parked a little ways

and

could

against the

furrowed even in sleep.

looked thoroughly uncomfortable, as if he'd dozed off

there all night, but

a show of

Elodie's words from the

didn't really

generation's affairs.