Page 90 of The Fall

“How do you know that?”

“How do you not? I saw the way he looks at you, Dallas. Everyone did.”

I said nothing as I stared at the sandwich knife in my hand. I smiled as Grant polished off his second one.

“Another one?”

“Yes, please,” he replied sweetly.

“Hell yes, brother. I’ll have one, too, then cut us a slice of pie.”

He rubbed his hands together, and I could see a softness blanket his features before he spoke. “I love this, being here. Your family is amazing. I never thought I would find …” I saw a flash of pain cover his features and had to fight like hell to keep my tears from coming. “Anyway, I’m just so thankful.”

Grant had just lost his dad a few months ago and had no one but Rose. I couldn’t imagine the pain he was feeling. I was thrilled this helped in some way, that he was now a new addition to our family.

“My parents love you, Grant. You and Rose are so happy. This is all good. I see good things for the two of you. I was so sorry to hear about your dad. You can talk about him anytime you want.”

“He was a good man. Not a picture-perfect dad, but we were close. I imagine I was a handful. He was good to me. I’m blessed to have had him…I miss him.” He kept his voice low as if it was the only way to keep his emotions in check. “Anyway, it was pancreatic cancer,” he said quickly. “It was slow and painful for him and a hellish nightmare for both of us. Rose is the only reason I smile at all now. I can’t even imagine how lost I would be if she hadn’t been there.”

I was stunned and furious at the same time. The disease seemed to affect almost everyone I knew. It was always someone’s mom or dad or husband or best friend, only a single degree of separation. It was everywhere and a consistent threat to those I loved. In that very moment of his confession—that he was orphaned by my nemesis—I vowed to fight harder, to work longer hours, to do whatever I could.

“I’m an oncologist now,” I admitted. “I’ve never felt a pull stronger than before I made this decision. It just felt so right. I can’t explain it. I haven’t told Rose. I knew it would alter our plans, and I’m afraid she will never forgive me. You know we’re supposed to start a general practice, and I went and changed it all without telling her. I’m trying to figure out a way to make this work before I approach her. Please don’t tell her,” I pleaded, suddenly terrified I mentioned it at all.

“I won’t. But I will say, I think it’s a pretty cool thing. I had no luck with the doctors who helped my dad. I know Rose just wants to be a surgeon. I know how much she loves it, and I know she would probably stand behind you one hundred percent. She looks up to you a lot, Dallas. I don’t think it would matter to her what you did as long as you did something together. I know I’ve kind of taken her away from you, but I promise we will make more of an effort as soon as the madness of her schooling and the wedding is over. I know how much she treasures your relationship, and it’s important to me, too.”

My heart squeezed again painfully, and I couldn’t help making my way over to the man I knew was, without a doubt, the perfect match for my sister. I gave him a quick hug, and he returned it, squeezing the life out of me. I chuckled as he pulled back.

“I have a good feeling about this. About you being an oncologist, I mean. I see all good things for you both. You should just tell her. See what happens. I think you’ll be surprised.”

I nodded and turned to clean up the mess, capping the mayo.

“Leave it. I’m going to make one for your sister, who I’m sure will be down in a few to make her own.”

“You sure?” I said, smiling at his thoughtfulness. I loved that he would be the one taking care of her.

“Of course,” he said, rounding the counter. I felt like a tiny human standing beside him as he towered above me. He was truly a unique presence. I could see his appeal and knew exactly why the entire family had taken to him so quickly. I was sold.

“Well, okay, thanks for the talk.”

He kept his head down but didn’t let me escape the room before reminding me, “Better hurry up before you miss your next anniversary.” He smiled, then looked up. I nodded and turned to hurry upstairs. I met Rose on her way down.

“Turkey sandwich.” She grinned sleepily. I nodded, already picturing Rose’s smile as she found the man of her dreams at the bottom of the stairs, making it for her.

Dallas

Now

I got called in for a consult the next morning at work. It seemed the entire oncology department was not immune to the Black Friday sales or the inevitable turkey coma. I was happy to go in and felt well-rested despite staying up late. Looking forward to immersing myself into another case—but not forgetting about the ones I wasn’t currently working—I spent my first twenty minutes passing out dry turkey sandwiches, which they thanked me for with huge smiles. It was the little things.

My consult was in OB, and I was shocked when I found out Dean was the one who paged me. I walked into his office with a smile and saw him behind his desk with a set of printed sonogram x-rays lit up behind him. I saw the issue immediately but greeted Dean first.

“Hi,” I said with a smile.

“Hi, Dally.” His voice alarmed me. I knew it couldn’t be easy on him to have to go back and tell his patient they had cancer. I could almost guarantee this case was terminal.

Dean stood up and pulled me into his arms. I pulled away, curious.

“I’m sorry, was she a regular patient of yours?”

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