Page 98 of Faking the Shot

Ah. Then she wouldn’t be sharing about the holdup with the planning approvals.

“What’s going on with work?”

She glanced outside her living room windows at the dark expanse of park, the glittering lights on Coal Harbour. “It’s going.” She explained about the Christmas mysteries, then the fact thatAs The Heart Drawswas shooting earlier than expected.

“Have you had any more thoughts about what to do?”

She sighed. “I’m trying to trust God with it.”

“You can trust God with it. With all of your future. Even with your young man. Now, how is he?”

She swallowed guiltily. She didn’t know. Not really. She’d backed off, scared by her feelings, scared he’d be the same as others, her fears intersecting with the pressures over her career, and so much more.

“Ains?”

“He’s good.” She hoped. She really should reply to his latest message.

“I’m glad, because I liked him. I have to admit that I was worried when I hadn’t seen any more pictures recently, not since that midnight kiss on New Year’s Eve.”

Ainsley closed her eyes. That perfect kiss.

“You are still together, aren’t you?” her aunt persisted.

“Aunty Win, you know this isn’t real.”

“I don’t think you should let that stop you.”

But she had to. Already she could feel her heart tensing, getting scared. They had to make it to Valentine’s Day, but what then? What if he didn’t want her? What if he proved to be just like the others and thought she was too much? Was too intimidating? Sure, he might earn more money and have a higher profile in some areas, but what if she herself was too much? Too much pain, too much brokenness, too much… everything.

“Well, that’s enough about me. How about you? How are you doing, Aunty Win?”

She internally braced, praying her mom was wrong.

But when her aunt sighed, she knew her fears hadn’t been unfounded.

“It’s not good news,” her aunt said.

“What have they said?” she whispered.

“It’s spreading. I’ve got a few months left.”

No, no, no!“But what about chemo? What about alternative therapies?”

“It’s too late for that. And I don’t want to spend what time I have left in hospitals, being pricked with nasty needles. Not when I can spend my time here, looking out on the water, and my trees, and plants. And painting when I can.”

“But you could come here. I could look after you.”

“Oh, God bless you. Your mother said the same. But I’d rather not be a burden to anyone. I like my company. I like the quiet. I can hear God better then.”

“Oh, Aunty Win.” She sniffled.Why God, why?

“Now, now. None of that. You know death comes to all of us in the end.”

“How can you be so calm about it?”

“Because I know my Maker, and I know where I will be.”

“I don’t want you to die. I love you.” Her voice was shaky.

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