Page 86 of Half Dead

“I’ll pass along your compliments to him. She’s been dead for twenty years, but her casserole will live on.”

In the corner of the room, Nana Pratt sniffed. “It’s good to know these things continue.”

“Did you have any recipes you passed on to Ashley and Steven?” I asked.

“Yes, but now you’ve got me thinking… There are so many more I could share with them. Dishes I stopped making for one reason or another. I’ll get started right now.” She whooshed away.

“Nana Pratt?” West asked.

I nodded. “She’s pleased that casseroles carry on after death.” I let the flavors roll around in my mouth. “Do I detect tarragon?”

“Couldn’t tell you. I’m not allowed to see the recipe.”

I gaped at him. “Are you telling meBertmade this?”

“Sure did.”

“You’ll have to thank him for me.”

“He knows what you’re up against. The whole pack knows.”

“I’m helping Kane, not the pack. Why do they care?”

“You help one of us, you help all of us. Haven’t you figured that out by now?”

“Listen, when I moved here, you and Kane barely acknowledged each other, so let’s not pretend you considered him part of your village.”

“Point taken.”

“Want a beer?” I offered.

He grinned. “I thought you’d never ask.”

I grabbed a bottle from the fridge and returned to the table. “Would you like a glass?”

“I’m good with a bottle. Am I drinking alone?”

“Water only. I need to keep my wits about me.”

“Fair point.” West gave me an appraising look. “This mustbe rough for you. How are you feeling?”

“I’m not.”

West grunted. “That’s your plan? Numb your way through the trials?”

“If I intend to survive them, yes.”

“Feelings are feedback,” West said. “You should let yourself experience them.”

I washed down the last bite of casserole with water. “What does that mean?”

“It means not to resist them. They’re emotions. They can’t actually hurt you.”

“I say that about fear, but not all of them. Grief is painful.” I had so much experience with it, I felt like I’d earned a PhD in the subject.

“It’s painful because of the meaning you give to it, not because of the feelings themselves. Next time you find yourself getting swept up by your emotions, try observing them instead.”

I arched an eyebrow. “Is this another life lesson from Tony Robbins?”

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